All winners at the Fun Run

The clouds parted benevolently over the Royal Hospital Kilmainham for an exciting first St. James’s Hospital Liberties Fun Run on the evening of Thursday July 23rd, 2009. Clonliffe Harriers man, Declan Power, was the winner of the men’s category in the 6.5k tour of the Liberties with a time of 20.53 and Kate O’Neill, from local club Metro St Brigids, won the women’s race with a time of 23:15. All 526 runners, joggers and walkers were of winning calibre though – every single one contributed through their entry fees to the development of the Stroke Service at St. James’s Hospital and every single one – as well as all sponsors, volunteers and supporters gathered – contributed to a greatly appreciated show of support for St. James’s.

The race started and finished, courtesy of the Irish Museum of Modern Art, within the beautiful grounds of the Royal Hospital Kilmainham and took in a tour of the Liberties that included St. James’s Hospital and Meath Street. And, while it involved gentle downward slopes on the way out and a welcome downhill section from Christ Church to St. Patrick’s Cathedral – participants faced an upward incline back along Thomas and James’s Streets and a second last quarter kilometre uphill before the finish on the West Avenue of the Royal Hospital. Despite the challenges however, runners recorded exceptional times – please click below for the top ten placings in the men’s and women’s categories.

Official Results (PDF 30Kb)

It was not all serious competition though. Fun was provided in spades by the Fossett family whose national circus was on hand to entertain supporters before the race – and Emily the Clown took part and put in a most impressive performance. Face painting and treats were provided also most generously by the FM104 Beetle Bugs and their crews who lined up at the start and finish lines.

The Fun Run was the result of generous contributions and co-operation from many organisations. It would have been impossible without the following five in particular: the Irish Museum of Modern Art at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham who hosted the event, Diageo and Momentum Support who provided the necessary funding, An Garda Síochána who facilitated and managed the race on behalf of the hospital and Fossett’s Circus who provided the fun. The hospital is in the debt also of the Order of Malta for their support on the evening and Runways who provided the generous third prizes. We are most grateful also to Tipperary Water and Centra on James’s Street who generously gave the water and chocolate respectively at the finish line.

The hospital is most grateful to the following statutory and voluntary agencies for their support in the planning of this event: The Athletics Association of Ireland, the Business Houses Athletic Association, Dublin Bus, Dublin City Council, the HSE Ambulance Service, the HSE Emergency Service and Luas. 

For our picture coverage please click here and for extensive action coverage provided by the wonderful racepix365.com website please click here. Next year’s race will take place on July 22nd 2010.

Contact Us

St. James’s Hospital Foundation
St. James’s Hospital
James’s Street
Dublin 8

Telephone 01 428 4086
Email foundation@stjames.ie