The sun has been shining for so long now it feels like August, but yes it's still April, and May is almost upon us. Tuesday the 1st of May is the date for the start of our five-race May series. We'll be ready to rock at 8pm.
Read on for details and a downloadable map.
Five Galway Athletics Clubs have once again come together to organise a series of fun 5k road runs for adult runners and walkers in the county. The series of runs are intended primarily to encourage participation and will be 'no-frills' events. There will be no prizes for winners but plenty of encouragement for everyone taking part. Runners or walkers can just turn up on the night and enter for individual events or for the entire series. Entry fees are small at Euro 5.00 per run or Euro 15.00 for all five nights. The final event in the series will be followed by a get-together in a local hostelry where plenty of spot-prizes and plaudits will be distributed.
We have changed our race route this year, abandoning last year's out n' back course in favour of a nice flat (aren't they all?) loop. This year's race starts and finishes in the small village of Newcastle (yes it's in Athenry parish) about three miles out of town.
Directions
To get there from Galway we recommend you follow the dashed red route on the map. Leave Galway heading out the Monivea Road, passing the Airport. Continue on for about eight miles (I'm guessing!) until you have to stop and give way at a crossroads - this is Cossaun Cross. Left for Tuam; straight through for Monivea, but you should turn right for Athenry. Pass through the woods at Castle Ellen and about a half a mile after you emerge from the woods take a left through Ballydavid. You are now driving on last year's route. Follow the road until you stop at a T-junction after 1.5miles. Turn right for Athenry and then immediately left for Newcastle. The village is about two miles further on. Race HQ is at the Community Hall on the left hand side beside the school.
Race Route
The race follows a simple right, right and-right-again loop, finishing on a slight downhill at the GAA grounds.
Please turn up as early as possible as registration will be at its busiest at the first race. We recommend arriving at 7pm. You can enter for the full series on the night (€15) or simply enter for one race (€5). Where could you find better value?
Please co-operate with stewards and race officials who are giving their time voluntarily for your benefit. And please remember this is a 'no frills' event. Simply turn up, register and run! Please don't expect hot showers, post race prawn sandwiches, physiotherapy or a bus home at the half-way point. We'd hate to disappoint.
You can download a full map at the end of this post.
Dates and times for the full series are as follows;
Tuesday 1st May Athenry @8:00pm
Tuesday 8th May Tuam @8:00pm
Tuesday 15th May Craughwell @8:00pm
Tuesday 22nd May Loughrea @8:00pm
Tuesday 29th May Galway @8:00pm
To reward those who get involved, a specially designed series t-shirt will be awarded to each person who completes at least four out of the five events.
Mark these dates into your diary now as last year's runs were a great success with literally hundreds of people taking part over the duration of the month of May.
Have fun now!
