ORM News feed

FM104 The Race to Moldova

Sun, 06 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The FM104 Phoneshow 104 Hour Challenge - The Race to Moldova! Did you see who won?!

Did you hear the news?! Adrian Kennedy and Jeremy Dixon from FM104 Phoneshow were facing off to see who can reach us here at the orphanage the quickest...

On Monday morning, April 23^rd at 7am, Adrian & Jeremy were dropped to two European locations equidistant from the race finishing point, Hincesti Orphanage for girls with special needs in Moldova. Neither presenter knew their starting location. They had until 5pm Friday, April 27^th to arrive at their destination in Hincesti, Moldova to one of the orphanages where ORM provides services.

They were given only €50 a day each to spend on food/transport and accommodation.

The winner got a flight home. The loser had to make his own way home.

Have a look at Adrian's and Jeremy's adventure by logging on to The FM104 Phoneshow 104 Hour Challenge - The Race to Moldova.

Later on in the week we will be able to announce just how much money was raised through all your kind donations. Don't forget to check back!

For full details please contact us at (01) 219 0268 or moldova@ireland.com or visit www.fm104.ie.

Volunteer Information Day, April 21st

Wed, 02 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The 2nd pre-departure training session for volunteering in Moldova with ORM this summer will be taking place this Saturday!!

Date: Saturday, 21st April 2012

Venue: Radisson Blu, St. Helens Hotel, Stillorgan

Don't miss our next Volunteer Information/Pre-departure Training day at Radisson Blu, St. Helens Hotel this Saturday.

We'll be welcoming on board our new volunteers that will be starting their training for their trip this summer. These training days are a very important part of the oversea's placement experience and provide you with the tools necessary to prepare for your trip.

Have a look at the photos of how the 1st training session went below.

A HUGE thank you to Comhlámh for all their input with training. It's always a pleasure working with you!!

If you wish to be a part of our team please contact us at moldova@ireland.com or (01) 219 0268 to find out more about the next Volunteer Information/Pre-departure Training meetings. We are really looking forward to working with you all.

The Dublin Flora Women's Mini Marathon in aid of ORM

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Challenge Yourself and Raise Funds for Children in Need!!

Venue: Dublin, Ireland

Date: 4th June 2012, 3pm

Distance: 10K

Entry fee: €17 - All (online entries will incur an extra €1 bank processing charge)

Please Note - this Event is strictly for FEMALES ONLY!

The Flora Women’s Mini Marathon is the biggest all women’s event of its kind in the world. It is a unique event that brings women from all over the world together to celebrate health, vitality and charity. It has grown from its humble beginnings in 1983 with almost 9,000 participants to a staggering 40,057 women participating in 2011.This event has grown as women’s interest in their own health and vitality has developed over the last three decades.

Indeed, it is not only women who have benefited from the event, but the charities are also the big winners. In 2011 it is estimated that almost €14m was raised by the participants bringing the total since the race started in 1983 close to €137m. It is now the biggest single day charity event in the country.

So, why not be a part of this wonderful event and help the children Outreach Moldova (ORM) cares for at the same time?

Start: Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin 2

Finish: St. Stephens Green, Dublin 2

Please arrange to be at the assembly area (St. Stephen’s Green) about 1pm so you can enjoy the atmosphere and familiarize yourself with the location of the baggage area, toilets, etc. All runners/joggers should locate their starting positions at least 45 minutes before start time.

Entry Process

All participants must enter either on the official Entry Form which will appear in the Evening Herald every Wednesday and Saturday from Wednesday 22nd February 2012 or online at www.florawomensminimarathon.ie.

First entry form: Wednesday 22nd February

Closing date: Friday 20th April 2012 or whenever MAXIMUM number of entries is reached

Please Note: The number of entries will be strictly limited. To avoid disappointment, we would ask you to enter early as entries will not be entertained if received after the closing date or when the maximum number was reached.

An Acceptance Letter is sent to you after your completed postal entry form and fee is received. Keep it safe and bring it to your Race Number Collection Point. It entitles you and a friend to free admission to the Woman's World Show in the RDS on Friday, Saturday or Sunday of June Bank Holiday weekend. When you enter online you will be asked to print off this Acceptance Letter as part of the process.

You'll have to bring your Acceptance Letter to collect your Race Number prior to the Mini Marathon to one of the Collection Points. The Bar Code on your letter will be scanned and one Number only will be given for that letter. When you collect your Number, please keep it safe as it cannot be replaced.

Race number should be worn on front of your t-shirt after you have filled in the details on the reverse.

All participants will be provided with a Timing Tag and those who enter as runners or fast joggers must wear the Timing Tag. Elite runners have to produce official result from a race, over the past two years, showing they are capable of a 10K time under 45 minutes. Other runners must do likewise to prove a time under 60 mins. Fast joggers must have achieved 70 minutes or under in the 2010 or 2011 Flora Women's Mini Marathon.

Each properly entered participant wearing a Race Number will receive a medal at the finish. Males wearing Race Numbers will not receive a medal. Race Numbers are not transferable.

A Mini Marathon Magazine is given free to each participant at the Collection Point. This contains all information regarding the Mini Marathon, map of course, location of toilets, baggage area, water stations, First Aid, assembly areas and meeting points.

Diana Bunici - The First ORM Ambassador

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Outreach Moldova (ORM) announce first appointment of “ORM Ambassador” - Diana Bunici, presenter Elev8, RTE Children’s TV.

Diana Bunici can be found in the elev8 loft on weekdays on RTÉ. Presenting the daily live children’s programme is her first venture into television, having graduated from DIT with a BA in Journalism with French in 2010. Born in Moldova, Diana moved to Ireland with her family when she was 8 years old and has lived here since. She has interviewed the likes of Justin Bieber, Pierce Brosnan, Kim Cattrall, Robert Pattinson, JLS, the Wanted, Mary Byrne and Jedward, created an elev8 Eurovision music video, sheared sheep and played air guitar in the national championships- all in the name of television!

Diana is highly involved in promoting diversity and inter-culturalism in Ireland promoting and celebrating inter-culturalism, equality and diversity in schools. Similarly, Diana is also a supporter of the Show Racism the Red Card campaign, very much enjoying her role as judge in their creative competition earlier this year.

As ORM ambassador, Diana is doing the Great Ireland Fun Run to help raise funds for the children in need.

Go Diana!!!

On her appointment as Ambassador for Outreach Moldova Diana said:

"I’m delighted to take up my new role of ambassador for Outreach Moldova, providing a voice for all the wonderful children in their care in my native country. ORM have been doing fantastic work for over a decade and they have made a huge difference in the lives of the children living in the orphanages they manage. Moldova is considered one of the poorest countries in Europe and to have a charity like Outreach Moldova striving so hard to bring a glimmer of hope into the lives of underprivileged children is incredibly important. I am honoured to be in a position to take up this role and I look forward to representing ORM and the children in a number of sporting and cultural events throughout 2012".

On the appointment, Ernie Mooney CEO at Outreach Moldova said:

"Outreach Moldova is very happy to welcome Diana Bunici to the ORM team in Ireland. Diana’s background makes her the perfect ambassador to represent the voices of some of the unfortunate children in her homeland. ORM has been caring for children in Moldova for over 10 years and Diana will provide us with a new opportunity to raise the profile of the cause of the children in our care. We look forward to working closely with Diana in a number of high profile endeavours on behalf of the children in 2012 and beyond. These include the Flora Women’s Mini Marathon, the Great Ireland Fun Run and the ORM Schools Challenge".

The ORM Midnight Sun Fun Run - Norway 2012

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Challenge Yourself and Raise Funds for Children in Need!!

Venue: Tromsø, Norway

Date: 30th June 2012, 8:30 p.m.

Distance: varies

Entry Fee: varies

Every year runners from more than 50 different countries meet in Tromsø, Norway to run in the Arctic under the midnight sun. The sun doesn't set for 2 months, from the middle of May to the middle of July. This is one of the things that makes the Midnight Sun Marathon a special and exotic event. Even in cloudy weather it is broad daylight 24 hours a day. The pure feeling of the midnight sun in stunning surroundings is a major part of the reason why the race is a target for a great number of runners from around the world.

Distances

There is a choice between five different distances: the marathon, halfmarathon, 10km race, 4.2km fun-run, and children`s race.

Midnight Sun Marathon – 42.195 km, starts at 20:30

The race starts and finishes in the city centre. The runners are facing the Tromsø Bridge after 2 km; an uphill from 6 to 43 meters above sea level. After running about 20 km the runners recross the bridge, and return through the city centre. The rest of the course is mainly flat and quite easy to run.

Toro Half Marathon - 21.0975 km, starts at 22:30

This course is relatively flat and follows the same route as the last 21 km of the marathon race.

Adidas Race - 10 km, starts at 19:00

The Adidas 10km Race is popular between both exercise and competitive runners. Among the participants you will find some of the best runners in the country and those who are competing only with themselves. This circuit extends from downtown Tromsø to the southern tip of the island, north to the airport, and returning back downtown to the finish line at Stortorget.

Coop Mini Marathon - 4.2 km, starts at 18:00

The mini marathon is a fun run that everyone can participate in.

Labb og Line Children's Race – approximately 1 km, starts at 17:00

This race is organised for children 0 - 10 years of age. The lap starts in Grønnegata, continues down to the Grand corner in the northern part of Storgata (main street), and then back to the finish line at Stortorget. No time is taken.

Please note: There might be minor adjustments in the starting times. Please make sure to check this when collecting your start number.

Entry Process

The online registration for 2012 is now open. Please note that it is difficult to find hotel accommodation the race weekend. If you need hotel accommodation, please send Midnight Sun Marathon 2012 an email.

Late entries may be done up to the start if there are places left. There is a limit of 1000 places for the marathon.

Distances	Entry Fee	From 01.03.2012	From 01.05.2012	From 20.06.2012
Marathon	kr. 650 (~ €85)	kr. 750 (~ €98)	kr. 850 (~ €111)	kr. 950 (~ €124)
Toro Halfmarathon	kr. 450 (~ €59)		kr. 550 (~ €72)	kr. 650 (~ €85)
Adidas Mila (10k race)	kr. 375 (~ €49)		kr. 450 (~ €59)	kr. 550 (~ €72)
Coop Minimarathon adult	kr. 250 (~ €33)		kr. 300 (~ €39)	kr. 400 (~ €52)
Coop Minimarathon u/16	kr. 200 (~ €26)		kr. 250 (~ €33)	kr. 300 (~ €39)
Labb and Line Childrens race	kr. 150 (~ €20)		kr. 150 (~ €20)	kr. 150 (~ €20)

The starting fee is not refundable. If you cannot start due to medical reasons, it is possible to transfer the entry fee to 2013. Your receipt and a medical certificate must be forwarded to the marathon organisers within one month after race day.

Distribution of start numbers will take place:

Friday June 29th	12:00 – 18:00
Saturday June 30th	10:00 – until start

Please note: If you have paid the entry fee and cannot find your name in the stat list, bring your receipt when collecting your start number.

The ORM Mini Marathon Moldova 2012

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Get behind the kids!! Help us make this the best event ever! The children's future depends on what we do in the present!

Venue: Loganesti - Hincesti, Moldova

Date: 9th September 2012, 10am

Distance: 10 K

Who: The children, staff & volunteers of ORM

What's this all about? It is about you, me and everyone out there getting behind children with special needs living in orphanages in Moldova who are about to take on the challenge of their lives.

For the 3rd year running, ORM will be hosting the Mini Marathon of the year where thousands of children and adults come together to raise funds for children with special needs.

We can not get home to Ireland for the Dublin Flora Womens Mini Marathon in June so we are doing the next best thing - we are holding our own here in Moldova! It is 10Km and we will all either run, walk or stroll it for the greatest cause of all - the children with special needs in Hincesti Orphanage who require elective orthopaedic surgery this year.

Help us raise awareness of these fantastic children and support them in their very brave challenge.

Last year's Mini Marathon was a success!! It was an amazing day indeed, we are so proud of the children (over 200 children with special needs) for taking on this huge challenge and completing it together. To the police, the ambulance services and the public who joined in, you were quite simply wonderful. Over 970 people came out in solidarity to walk and run the 10Km Mini Marathon with the children and staff including the Minister and MP's. Well done and a HUGE thank you to you all.

Please remember, every special to our hearts child will be walking, pushed in wheelchairs, being carried; isn't that making that 10Km just that little bit more special?! The children from the orphanages where we work will be raising money for their own care one step at a time.

For more information please contact us at (01) 219 0268 or by email at moldova@ireland.com.

To watch this video in High Definition (HD) please go to the link on YouTube by clicking HERE now.

We're Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro for those in need!

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Challenge Yourself and Raise Funds for Children in Need!!

Venue: Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

Date: September 17th – 28th 2012

Cost: £1,970.00 (Self Funding), £3,940.00 (Minimum Sponsorship)

Join Outreach Moldova (ORM) and Across the Divide on the Roof of Africa! An adventure of a lifetime while helping others in need!

One of the most magnificent sights in Africa, Kilimanjaro’s snow capped peak is almost 6,000m high and towers above the surrounding African plains.

There is no need for technical climbing skills but conquering this mountain is a real test of stamina and fitness as you battle with the effects of altitude to reach the summit. Standing at Uhuru peak you can be immensely proud of your achievement.

The route takes us to the more remote north-eastern side of the mountain and you get a real sense of wilderness as you follow the less used Rongai Trail. Joining the Marangu trail as you approach the summit this trek really will offer you the experience of a lifetime.

Notes

When climbing Kilimanjaro, you will be moving from tropical climates up to mid 30°c at low levels to arctic conditions of -15°c and below on the summit. Participants should be prepared for all eventualities.

This route is subject to change due to weather conditions, permits and the overall fitness of the group. However, the structure of the event will remain the same.

The Climb

For most people this will be the toughest physical challenge they ever complete. When people speak of the degree of difficulty, they are mainly referring to one single part of the climb, which is the eight to ten hour section up to the summit. This part really is tough, mainly due to the extreme altitude. After the summit section you will be walking for another seven to ten hours to camp at Horombo, with a brief rest stop at Kibo Hut. Check the full outline itinerary here.

Before the summit section the route is not too physically demanding if you have a reasonable fitness level. You should be able to walk for several hours on consecutive days. Adverse factors that can affect you are bad weather, altitude sickness and general tiredness. Altitude sickness can hit you no matter how fit you are. A UK doctor with altitude and expedition experience accompanies all Across the Divide expeditions.

There are six main factors that affect the incidence and severity of altitude illness:

Rate of ascent
Altitude attained
Length of exposure
Level of exertion
Hydration and diet
Inherent physiological susceptibility

In order to reduce the potential for altitude sickness there are 3 main rules which we adhere to:

Drink, drink, then drink some more. A fluid intake of 4 - 5 litres per day is recommended, as this improves circulation and most other bodily functions.
Slowly slowly. Pace is a critical factor. If you cannot hold a conversation you are walking too fast.
Walk high sleep low. If you have enough energy and are not feeling the affects of altitude, then you might take an afternoon stroll further up the mountain before descending to sleep. Also taking an extra day to acclimatise on the mountain can greatly increase your chance of success.

The tour costs include the following:

During the event:

Price includes flights, all services; accommodation, transport, food etc in-country
Day-to-day running of the event
Safety and logistical management
Provision of UK safety staff
Provision of UK medical staff
Organisation of emergency evacuation if necessary
Radio back up and support
Use of satellite telephone
All safety equipment needed to run the event

The following are not included:

Visas
Personal Travel Insurance
Airport departure taxes
Recommended tip to local staff of $280 per person
Drinks at meals i.e. beer & wine
Items of a personal nature

For more information please contact us at (01) 219 0268, by email at moldova@ireland.com or visit Across the Devide's oficial website.

The ORM Dublin to Paris Cycle Challenge 2012

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Challenge Yourself and Raise Funds for Children in Need!!

Venue: UCD, Dublin - Eiffel Tower, Paris

Date: June 17th – 22nd 2012

Distance: 600 K

The ORM 5 days Dublin to Paris Cycle Challenge includes:

Fully supported with experienced guides
Luggage Transport
Bikes Transported back to Dublin
Meals & Feed Stations
Beautiful Quiet Road & Stunning scenery
2 Days in Ireland
3 Days in France

Sponsorship required for participation

€2500 per person or €4 per Km (Approx)

Please check out our brocures about the event itself to help you to decide! Just click on any of the 5 brochures below that are of interest and it will expand for you to read, closing it will take you back to this page.


1) Brochure	2) 'How to' Guide	3) Application Form	4) How to prepare	5) FAQs

Day 1 Sunday 17th June Dublin to Arklow 93km

The ORM adventure begins at the UCD campus in sight of the RTE transmitter which resembles our final destination, the Eiffel Tower.

An early morning start takes us out of the city without the worry of traffic. Soon we are in the beautiful Co. Wicklow country side where the roads are never flat. The route avoids the busy main roads turning inland on hedge lined small roads where we face the most demanding section of the trip in the Wicklow Mountains with the option of a diversion over Sally Gap to bag Ireland’s highest road. Descending back to the coast we pass the beautiful beaches of Brittas Bay where you can stop for a swim. Continuing on a wonderful road right by the coast we reach our hotel in Arklow where we stay tonight.

Day 2 Monday 18th June Arklow to Rosslare 85km

This is the shortest day as we leave Arklow and follow the coast to Wexford town passing Curracloe whose beaches were used as the set for the filming the 'D Day' landing scenes in Saving Private Ryan. Tomorrow we cycle past the actual beaches. After lunch we cycle to the Ferry Port at Rosslare. Here we board the ferry with our bikes. We have time to relax in our cabins before dinner. We wake up in French territorial waters next morning and disembark at Cherbourg.

Day 3 Tuesday 19th June Cherbourg to Bayeux 108km

We have a long but gentle climb away from the port after we leave the boat. However you will notice the improvement in the road surfaces here in France making for more pleasant as well as easier cycling. Our route takes us on small low traffic roads through dairy farms of spotted cows to the famous Normandy beaches. The lunch stop today is at Utah Beach where you will have time to view the museum to the 'D Day' landings. Cycling southwest inland on mainly flat back roads through farmlands we reach our destination for the night, the mediaeval town of Bayeux. The town is well known for its tapestry which is 70m long and depicts the events of the Norman Conquest of Britain in 1066. There is also an impressive Romanesque cathedral dating back to 1077 in the town.

Day 4 Wednesday 20th June Bayeux to Evreux 168km

This is our longest day as we ride on quiet farm roads through wide open wheat fields, passing through half timbered villages in the home of Calvados, skirting around the city of Caen avoiding the busy roads. Continuing into the Eure region we cross the farmlands which produce Camembert cheese to arrive at the regions capital Evreux where we stay tonight.

Day 5 Thursday 21st June Evreux to Paris 105km

Today there is a celebratory feeling that the job is almost done, just a mere 105km to the Eiffel tower. The route takes us initially through quiet valleys and wooded areas before arriving in Versailles on the outskirts of Paris. We pass the gilded wonder that is the Palace of Versailles before leaving the traffic to ride on traffic free roads through forests and parks to get our first view of the Eiffel tower. Cycling through the Bois de Boulogne past the Longchamps Race course to the Trocadero we have protected cycle lanes most of the way to the Eiffel Tower where we finish our ride with a celebratory drink. Our hotel is located centrally just minutes from the finish. Here we have a final celebratory dinner tonight before heading out to sample the night life of this iconic city.

Day 6 Friday 22nd June Paris to Home

After a relaxing breakfast we will make our way home. Your bike has already been carefully packed on one of our vans and is already on its way to the ferry home where it will meet you.

• Accommodation on per person sharing basis,

• 4 nights in hotels & 1 night in en suite cabin on ferry

• Meals, 4 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners, snack stops/ feed stations on route

• Luggage transfers between hotels, ferry, back up van

• Service of an experienced guide on the bike on approximately 1:10 basis

• Service of an experienced bike mechanic

• Transport of your bike back to Dublin

• Training programme and tips from qualified coach

• Flight home from Paris

All you have to do is to fill in the 2012 ORM Dublin to Paris Cycle Challenge Application Form and send it to Suite 104, DMG House, Deansgrange Business Park, Deansgrange, Co. Dublin, Ireland. We'll be delighted to have you on board.

If you have any questions and you don't find answers to them please have a look at our FAQs to 2012 ORM Dublin to Paris Cycle Challenge brochure or feel free to contact us at moldova@ireland.com or by phone at (01) 219 0268.

The 2012 Great Ireland fun Run/Walk in aid of ORM

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Challenge Yourself and Raise Funds for Children in Need!!

Venue: Phoenix Park, Dublin

Date: 15th April 2012, 1pm

Distance: 10 K (2.5 K for Junior & Mini Run)

Entry fee: €28.00 (£27.00), up to and including Monday 31 January 2012

€29.00 (£28.00), entries received after Monday 31 January 2012

Closing date for all paper applications – Monday 26 March 2012

“The SPAR Great Ireland Run really is an amazing event which mixes fun, families and top-class athletics in a brilliant atmosphere. The Phoenix Park is a stunning place to run and brings out the best in everyone – from 5 year olds to 75 year olds.”

Fionnuala Britton, Ireland’s European Cross Country champion

and 2012 Olympic Games qualifier

Sign up today and help Outreach Moldova (ORM) raise funds for children with special needs and terminal illness from the Republic of Moldova.

2012 is the tenth anniversary of the event in Dublin which has grown rapidly in popularity since the first Run in 2003. Last year there were almost 11,000 participants and at least 12,000 are expected to take to the roads in the beautiful Phoenix Park which this year celebrates its own 350th birthday.

This year’s Run will more than ever be about enjoying a full family running day as a Mini Run for 5 to 8 year olds has been added to the programme alongside a Junior Run for 9 to 15 year olds.

The Mini Run and Junior Run will precede the main event over a lap of approximately 2.5 km and an adult can run/walk alongside each child in the Mini Run if they wish.

The Run is the largest mixed 10k race in Ireland and RTE Two television will show the Run live in a special programme.

The 2012 Run will once again incorporate the Irish 10k road championships and will feature most of Ireland’s top distance runners. To further incentivise elite Irish athletes and raise the standard of 10k running in the country, a prize fund is being put in place for the first ten Irish men and women.

Entrants are asked to identify their preferred county on the entry form and before the event will receive a customised number in their county colours. Every finisher will receive a technical event T-shirt, generous goody bag and chip timed results.

The 2012 Run will again feature a County Challenge competition for the Ronnie Delany Perpetual Trophy. Using the power of chip technology the county with the most finishers in a particular time frame are recorded and declared the winner.

Entries can be made online or by completing the 2012 Great Ireland Run entry form.

The 2012 Great Limerick Run/Walk in aid of ORM

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Challenge Yourself and Raise Funds for Children in Need!!

Venue: Limerick City, Ireland

Date: 6th May 2012, 9am (Full Marathon), 10.30am (Half Marathon), 1pm (6 Mile Run)

Distance: 26.2 miles, 13.1 miles, 6 miles

Entry fee: €60 (Full Marathon), €45 (Half Marathon), €20 (6 Mile Run), up to 1st February

€70 (Full Marathon), €55 (Half Marathon), €25 (6 Mile Run), after 1st February

On Sunday May 6th 2012 the streets of Limerick will fill once again with runners, joggers and walkers from far and wide for the third Great Limerick Run. This event has something for everyone! The 3 races include a fully certified marathon, a half marathon and a 6 mile event.

The three events commence over a staggered start schedule. The Marathon starts at 9am, the Half Marathon starts at 11:30am and the 6 Mile starts at 1:00pm.

All participants will start at the same start line and finish at the same finishing point. The race is unique for many reasons. The marathon enters the city on no less than four occasions which helps to generate great support for the athletes. The route has been carefully designed to incorporate the many sporting and historic highpoints in Limerick including the city center Georgian architecture, the world famous University of Limerick, King Johns Castle, The Treaty Stone and Thomond Park. The race follows the River Shannon in many places adding to the overall occasion. A total of 10 musical points are located along the last 10KM to help everyone enjoy the day and celebrate a great occasion in the Sporting Capital of Ireland.

6 Mile run/jog/walk

Walk, run or jog… These 6 miles taking in a host of historical, cultural and sporting sites along the way and double up as the final leg of both the marathon and half marathon events. Starting at Pery Square with its Georgian architecture and award winning People's Park the races follows the River Shannon passing Limerick Boat Club and Shannon Rowing Club. Crossing the Shannon on Sarsfield Bridge and travelling along Clancy Strand with a fantastic view of the Curragower falls, the Hunt Museum, St. Mary's Cathedral (1168) and the 13th century King Johns Castle on Kings Island. The race then passes the Treaty Stone (1691), and heads for the world famous Thomond Park, home to the Munster Rugby team. The last mile of the race travels along the wonderful O'Callaghan Strand before crossing the Shannon and heading to the finish line on Limericks O'Connell street. The 6 mile route has music and entertainment along the way with upwards of 10 music stations along the route, adding further to the overall enjoyment!

Half Marathon

13.1 miles or 21 kilometers through a mixture of Limerick's city center, riverside, suburb and countryside locations. The course initially heads south taking the participants past Old Crescent Rugby Club and then heading back to the city along the St. Nessans Road, Ballinacurra Road and O'Connell Avenue. Over the last 10 kilometers the participants will enjoy a host of landmark sites including fantastic view of King Johns Castle, Thomond Bridge, Sarsfield Bridge, The Treaty Stone, Thomond Park as well as traveling along the wonderful riverside Clancy Strand and O'Callaghan Strand. The half marathon finishes on Limerick's main street O'Connell Street.

Full Marathon

26.2 miles or 42 kilometers through a variety of settings including Limerick's city centre, the University of Limerick, picturesque countryside and riverside locations. The marathon starts at the award winning People's Park surrounded by Georgian Limerick. The course then heads to the University and Castletroy area taking in the superb University campus and the breathtaking Living Bridge. The route then heads back to the city taking in the Canal Bank. This route is a very popular running route for runners of all abilities including many world champions visiting Ger Hartman at the University Arena. The marathon course then returns to the city center reaching the halfway point on Parnell Street. The route then heads to the countryside passing Young Munsters Rugby Club, Old Crescent Rugby Club and Limerick Golf Club. The route then returns to the city center for the final 10KM. The last 10 kilometers are filled with a wonderful array of historical, sporting and cultural sites before finishing on Limericks O'Connell Street.

If you wish to find out more about the Great Limerick Run you can log on to the official website at www.greatlimerickrun.com.