Thank you to all Fun Run participants
David Flynn wins the 2010 St. James's Hospital Liberties Fun Run with a time of 00:19:25 (Photo Marc O'Sullivan 2010)
St. James’s Hospital Foundation thanks most sincerely all those who entered and supported the second St. James’s Hospital Liberties Fun Run last Thursday, July 22nd. The annual 6.5k tour of the Liberties was held to benefit – once again this year – the hospital’s Stroke Service and it was a wonderful night. There were 685 entries this year – an increase of 159 over the first race held in the summer of 2010 – implying a significant increase in the event’s net proceeds.
The feedback indicates participants enjoyed the event (and the improvement points raised have been noted). And a great bonus for the hospital staff who arrange the event is the opportunity to meet so many lovely athletes – the staff had almost as much fun as we hope the participants did.
This year’s race was again won by a Clonliffe Harriers man; Declan Power was the winner of last year’s race and Dave Flynn was this year’s worthy winner. And Kate O’Neill, of local club Metro St Brigid’s and Patrycja Wlodarczyk, of Raheny Shamrock AC, are sharing the honours. Kate won last year’s race but was beaten into second place this year by Patrycja, who had come second in last year’s race. But be warned Patrycja... Kate said: “I’ll get her next time!”.
The race started and finished, courtesy of the Irish Museum of Modern Art, within the beautiful grounds of the Royal Hospital Kilmainham and its new route this year took in a tour of the Liberties that included the Guinness Storehouse, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Christ Church, St. James's Gate and St. James’s Hospital. Participants’ feedback indicates that the new route was appreciated and that the long finishing straight was in particular very welcome. Runners recorded exceptional times and please see the top of the page for full results.
The Fun Run was the result of generous contributions and co-operation from many organisations. It would have been impossible without the following four 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 and An Garda Síochána who helped to plan and who managed the race so graciously on the night.
We are most grateful to the following also who were so generous: FM104 who came and painted faces and gave out treats at the start and finish lines, Ash at Runways who gave the third prizes, Eoin O’Reilly at Centra on James’s Street who brought the chocolate, Seamus Griffin of Griffin’s Londis who sourced the water, Simply Direct who brought the water, Kelkin who brought the snacks and vitamins and the Natural Medicine Company who gave the lovely massage oil and Pfizer who sponsored the water carriers.
The hospital is most grateful to the following statutory and voluntary agencies for their support in the planning and execution of this event: Dublin Bus, Dublin City Council – who also loaned us so much equipment needed – the HSE Ambulance Service, the HSE Emergency Service, Luas and St John Ambulance Brigade (www.sjab.ie).
Until next year’s race – July 21st 2011 – thank you all again.
The Stroke Service at St. James’s Hospital is – as last year – the beneficiary of this year’s Fun Run. Thanks to the generosity of major sponsors, Diageo and Momentum Support, all entry fees and all sponsorship raised will benefit the development of the Stroke Service at St. James’s Hospital.
To read more about the hospital’s fundraising campaign for the stroke service please click here.
Contact Us
St. James’s Hospital Foundation
St. James’s Hospital
James’s Street
Dublin 8
Telephone 01 428 4086
Email foundation@stjames.ie
