Cork Sports Stars urge people to team up for City Marathon

Sports Stars Relay the Troops

Cork athletes urge people to team up for City Marathon

Tuesday Feb 27th 2007

CORK sports stars of all codes took to the streets yesterday to urge people to get their teams together for the relay element of Cork city’s first Marathon in 21 years.

“We all spend a huge part of our lives training but this event means that anyone can get into the healthy side of exercise and complete a marathon with their friends,” said Munster hooker Frankie Sheehan.

“Running is sometimes seen as an individual sport but this event gives people the opportunity to build a team and take part in something really special,” he added.

 He was launching the relay event with fellow sports stars Marverly Nettles of national champions The Montenotte Hotel Ladies Basketball team, and Cork duel camogie and football player Briege Corkery.

“The relay is for everyone – you can run it, jog it or walk it and everyone can take part. It’s going to be a great spectacle,” said Cork-based US basketball star Marvely Nettles.

Up to five people can enter as a relay team with the five stages in the race being in the range of four to seven miles. Teams of two, three and four can run with some members running consecutive stages.

“The relay will be a race within a race but it really is all about participation,” said Marathon Event Manager Gina Johnson. “People all over the country are forming teams and if you are looking to join up then Leisureworld in Cork is just one of the places where you can put a team together with like-minded people. Our nominated, charity Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, is also looking for teams to run for their cause. 

“We’re expecting a huge amount of entries and already many teams from all charities are getting together – and that’s one of the big plusses of this part of the event.”

Meanwhile entries for the individual marathon are flying in from all over the country and abroad with an athlete from Britain planning to run a marathon in the UK on the Sunday and Cork on the Monday.

The Montenotte Cork City Marathon takes place on the June Bank Holiday Monday (June 4) and is the first Cork Marathon to be since 1986. Thousands are expected to take to the streets to watch and take part.
 
It’s all part of a bumper sports weekend in Cork with the Ocean to City offshore rowing race expected to attract hundreds of boats in a spectacular 15-nautical mile race which will finish in the heart of the city at the City Quarter Boardwalk.

Relay teams can enter by downloading the entry form on www.corkcitymarathon.ie or picking forms up at gyms, leisure centres and clubs around the country.

Ends

Further Information:

Nigel O’Mahony,

OMF Publicity,

Albert Street,

Cork.

Tel: 021 4965000
Mob: 086 2497530
Email: nigel@omfpublicity.ie