https://www.time-to-run.com/forums/ Sun, 03 May 2026 05:45:21 +0000 MyBB https://www.time-to-run.com/forums/Thread-Japheth-Korir-Great-Ireland-Run Fri, 04 Apr 2014 16:13:38 +0000 TheEd]]> https://www.time-to-run.com/forums/Thread-Japheth-Korir-Great-Ireland-Run
Britton and Duarte both plan to run 10,000 metres on the track at the European Championships in Zurich in August. A hard run over the distance against each other will tell both where their training stands. Duarte ran an impressive 31 minutes 53 seconds for the distance at a 10k in Auch, France on 16 March. On the same day, Britton ran 15:33 in Dublin to win the St Patrick’s 5k Festival Race.

The pair will be challenged strongly by Helen Clitheroe of Great Britain, the 2011 European Indoor 3,000 metre champion, Allesandra Aguilar of Spain, fifth in last year’s World Championships marathon, and Diana Martin of Spain who has a best of 32:32 for 10k on the road.

The national 10k championships are also part of the SPAR Great Ireland Run and Ciara Durkin of Skerries along with Teresa McGloin will head up the domestic field beside Britton.

In the men’s race, Japheth Korir the 2013 World cross country champion makes his first visit to Dublin and will start as favourite in the men’s race with a personal best time of 27:52 for 10k.

His main challengers will be 2013 European cross country bronze medallist Andy Vernon from Great Britain, Australian Olympic marathoner Michael Shelley, Javier Guerra from Spain, Abdellatif Meftah from France and Scott Bauhs from the USA.

The Irish elite men will be led by Mark Hanrahan of Leevale, national cross country champion Mick Clohisey from Raheny and Dublin Marathon champion Sean Hehir.

Before the 10k Run starts, a men’s elite mile will go up and down Chesterfield Avenue (the main road) in the Phoenix Park. Defending champion Paul Robinson from St Coca’s in Kildare returns to face up to 3:52 British miler Ross Murray, and his compatriots James Brewer and Ross Millington who are 3:54 and 3:59 milers. The Irish favourites will include national indoor 800 metre champion Niall Tuohy of Ferrybank, last year’s runner-up Eoin Everard from Kilkenny and national indoor 1500 metre champion John Coghlan from Metro St Brigid’s.

The mile gets under way at 12:20, the elite women’s race at 13:10 and the SPAR Great Ireland Run starts at 13:30.]]>
Britton and Duarte both plan to run 10,000 metres on the track at the European Championships in Zurich in August. A hard run over the distance against each other will tell both where their training stands. Duarte ran an impressive 31 minutes 53 seconds for the distance at a 10k in Auch, France on 16 March. On the same day, Britton ran 15:33 in Dublin to win the St Patrick’s 5k Festival Race.

The pair will be challenged strongly by Helen Clitheroe of Great Britain, the 2011 European Indoor 3,000 metre champion, Allesandra Aguilar of Spain, fifth in last year’s World Championships marathon, and Diana Martin of Spain who has a best of 32:32 for 10k on the road.

The national 10k championships are also part of the SPAR Great Ireland Run and Ciara Durkin of Skerries along with Teresa McGloin will head up the domestic field beside Britton.

In the men’s race, Japheth Korir the 2013 World cross country champion makes his first visit to Dublin and will start as favourite in the men’s race with a personal best time of 27:52 for 10k.

His main challengers will be 2013 European cross country bronze medallist Andy Vernon from Great Britain, Australian Olympic marathoner Michael Shelley, Javier Guerra from Spain, Abdellatif Meftah from France and Scott Bauhs from the USA.

The Irish elite men will be led by Mark Hanrahan of Leevale, national cross country champion Mick Clohisey from Raheny and Dublin Marathon champion Sean Hehir.

Before the 10k Run starts, a men’s elite mile will go up and down Chesterfield Avenue (the main road) in the Phoenix Park. Defending champion Paul Robinson from St Coca’s in Kildare returns to face up to 3:52 British miler Ross Murray, and his compatriots James Brewer and Ross Millington who are 3:54 and 3:59 milers. The Irish favourites will include national indoor 800 metre champion Niall Tuohy of Ferrybank, last year’s runner-up Eoin Everard from Kilkenny and national indoor 1500 metre champion John Coghlan from Metro St Brigid’s.

The mile gets under way at 12:20, the elite women’s race at 13:10 and the SPAR Great Ireland Run starts at 13:30.]]> https://www.time-to-run.com/forums/Thread-Champion-confirmed-for-Great-Ireland Tue, 01 Apr 2014 02:45:17 +0000 TheEd]]> https://www.time-to-run.com/forums/Thread-Champion-confirmed-for-Great-Ireland Sophie Duarte of France to resume rivalry with Fionnuala Britton

Sophie Duarte, European cross country champion 2013, is a welcome late addition to the SPAR Great Ireland Run over 10 kilometres on the roads of the Phoenix Park, Dublin on Sunday next, 6 April.

The Frenchwoman will renew her close rivalry with Ireland’s Fionnuala Britton. Last December, Duarte beat Britton into fourth place in the European Championships; in the two previous years Britton had won the race with Duarte in sixth place on both occasions.

A strong women’s field will also include Helen Clitheroe from Great Britain who was second in 2007, and two leading Spaniards: Diana Martin, who was fourth in last year’s Run, and Alessandra Aguilar the Spanish half marathon champion.

Kenya’s Milcah Chemos has withdrawn from the event due to injury.]]> Sophie Duarte of France to resume rivalry with Fionnuala Britton

Sophie Duarte, European cross country champion 2013, is a welcome late addition to the SPAR Great Ireland Run over 10 kilometres on the roads of the Phoenix Park, Dublin on Sunday next, 6 April.

The Frenchwoman will renew her close rivalry with Ireland’s Fionnuala Britton. Last December, Duarte beat Britton into fourth place in the European Championships; in the two previous years Britton had won the race with Duarte in sixth place on both occasions.

A strong women’s field will also include Helen Clitheroe from Great Britain who was second in 2007, and two leading Spaniards: Diana Martin, who was fourth in last year’s Run, and Alessandra Aguilar the Spanish half marathon champion.

Kenya’s Milcah Chemos has withdrawn from the event due to injury.]]> https://www.time-to-run.com/forums/Thread-Over-10-000-for-Great-Ireland-Run Fri, 12 Apr 2013 16:51:15 +0000 TheEd]]> https://www.time-to-run.com/forums/Thread-Over-10-000-for-Great-Ireland-Run
Kenenisa Bekele from Ethiopia, the defending champion and course record holder, triple Olympic gold-medallist and world record holder at 5,000 metres and 10,000 metres will top the bill as world champions, Olympians, Ireland’s finest runners, celebrities, politicians and children hit the roads of the Park at various distances.

Bekele will be the inspiring presence for over 1,200 children who have signed up for Ireland’s largest ever running events: the SPAR Mini Run for 5 to 8 year olds and the SPAR Junior Run for 9 to 15 year olds.

Among the celebrities taking part will be:

Boyzone member and actor Keith Duffy

Musician and TV star Niall Breslin (Bressie)

Radio and TV talk show presenter Matt Cooper

TV presenter, Grainne Seoige

Musician Brian Kennedy

Magician Keith Barry

Minister for Tourism, Transport & Sport, Leo Varadkar

Sonia O’Sullivan will start the Junior Run

Bekele will be strongly challenged by his compatriot and current world 10,000 metre champion Ibrahim Jeilan. Both men are seeking places on their national team for the World Championships in Moscow in August and will face each other again at the Ethiopian trial race in the USA next month.

Also in the field will be Australian Collis Birmingham who broke up African dominance by finishing eighth in last month’s World Cross Country Championships, Moroccan marathon star Abderrahime Bouramdane, nine times European cross-country champion, Sergiy Lebid from Ukraine and 2:09 marathoner Urige Buta from Norway.

The home challenge will be led by national cross-country champion Sergiu Ciobanu of Clonliffe Harriers alongside Stephen Scullion from Belfast and Sean Hehir from Rathfarnham.

Gemma Steel of Great Britain will defend her title against Irish gold medal winning European cross country team member and defending national champion Linda Byrne. Both will be pushed hard by Spanish number one Diana Martin, British Olympian Julia Bleasdale and Italy’s Elana Romagnolo.

As part of the SPAR Great Ireland Run’s commitment to keeping athletics in the public eye a new race, the SPAR Great Ireland Mile, has been added to the event programme and will precede the 10k Run on Chesterfield Avenue, the main road in the Phoenix Park. This new race will bring exciting competition out of the stadium and make the sport more accessible, especially to the large number of children who will be present in the Phoenix Park on the day.

The mile will feature 15 top runners from Ireland and Great Britain including the fastest man in Ireland over 1500 metres last year, Paul Robinson of St Coca’s AC. Also in the field will be Colin Costello, former European Junior 1500 metre champion, Anthony Whitehead, former European 1500 metre silver medallist from Great Britain, Ireland’s top under 23 Darren McBrearty from Letterkenny, Nick Samuels from Great Britain and Eoin Everard from Kilkenny.

The 10k Run incorporate the Irish road championships under the auspices of Athletics Ireland and the largest field ever for the event, an 8% increase on last year of 475, has entered as club runners chase fast times and personal bests.

The Run gets under way at 1:10 (elite women) and 1:30 (men). It will be preceded by the SPAR Junior Run at 11:30, the SPAR Great Ireland Mile at 12:20, and the SPAR Mini Run at 12:30.

Personal late entries for the event will be accepted at Life Style Sports in Blanchardstown on Friday 12 April (10 am to 7 pm) and Saturday 13 April (10 am to 4 pm) subject to availability.

Willie O' Byrne, Managing Director, BWG Foods (owners and operators of SPAR Ireland) said:

“We are delighted during SPAR Ireland’s 50th anniversary celebrations to be headline sponsor of the SPAR Great Ireland Run 2013. It is fantastic to see international athletes of the calibre of Kenenisa Bekele and Gemma Steel travelling to Ireland once again to defend their titles in the SPAR Great Ireland Run, particularly in this year of The Gathering. It is also wonderful to see that we have a greater number of children participating in this year’s SPAR Junior Great Ireland Run and the SPAR Mini Great Ireland Run, ensuring it is an event for all the family.”

RTE Two television will broadcast the Run live in a special programme.

The SPAR Great Ireland Run is the only event in Ireland recognised by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), the world governing body of athletics, with an IAAF Silver Road Race Label in recognition of the event’s high standard of organisation, elite participation and media profile.

Nearly 1,000 entrants in the Run are from the UK and their participation will be a significant boost to The Gathering and tourism in Dublin as they travel to the city for the weekend with family and friends.

Many participants are running for good causes including SPAR’s charity partner, The 3Ts - Turn the Tide of Suicide, providers of 1800 247 100, 1 Life, 24 hour suicide prevention helpline. The Run’s other nominated charity is the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation. The Baby Max Wings of Love Fund is the nominated charity for the Mini and Junior Runs.]]>
Kenenisa Bekele from Ethiopia, the defending champion and course record holder, triple Olympic gold-medallist and world record holder at 5,000 metres and 10,000 metres will top the bill as world champions, Olympians, Ireland’s finest runners, celebrities, politicians and children hit the roads of the Park at various distances.

Bekele will be the inspiring presence for over 1,200 children who have signed up for Ireland’s largest ever running events: the SPAR Mini Run for 5 to 8 year olds and the SPAR Junior Run for 9 to 15 year olds.

Among the celebrities taking part will be:

Boyzone member and actor Keith Duffy

Musician and TV star Niall Breslin (Bressie)

Radio and TV talk show presenter Matt Cooper

TV presenter, Grainne Seoige

Musician Brian Kennedy

Magician Keith Barry

Minister for Tourism, Transport & Sport, Leo Varadkar

Sonia O’Sullivan will start the Junior Run

Bekele will be strongly challenged by his compatriot and current world 10,000 metre champion Ibrahim Jeilan. Both men are seeking places on their national team for the World Championships in Moscow in August and will face each other again at the Ethiopian trial race in the USA next month.

Also in the field will be Australian Collis Birmingham who broke up African dominance by finishing eighth in last month’s World Cross Country Championships, Moroccan marathon star Abderrahime Bouramdane, nine times European cross-country champion, Sergiy Lebid from Ukraine and 2:09 marathoner Urige Buta from Norway.

The home challenge will be led by national cross-country champion Sergiu Ciobanu of Clonliffe Harriers alongside Stephen Scullion from Belfast and Sean Hehir from Rathfarnham.

Gemma Steel of Great Britain will defend her title against Irish gold medal winning European cross country team member and defending national champion Linda Byrne. Both will be pushed hard by Spanish number one Diana Martin, British Olympian Julia Bleasdale and Italy’s Elana Romagnolo.

As part of the SPAR Great Ireland Run’s commitment to keeping athletics in the public eye a new race, the SPAR Great Ireland Mile, has been added to the event programme and will precede the 10k Run on Chesterfield Avenue, the main road in the Phoenix Park. This new race will bring exciting competition out of the stadium and make the sport more accessible, especially to the large number of children who will be present in the Phoenix Park on the day.

The mile will feature 15 top runners from Ireland and Great Britain including the fastest man in Ireland over 1500 metres last year, Paul Robinson of St Coca’s AC. Also in the field will be Colin Costello, former European Junior 1500 metre champion, Anthony Whitehead, former European 1500 metre silver medallist from Great Britain, Ireland’s top under 23 Darren McBrearty from Letterkenny, Nick Samuels from Great Britain and Eoin Everard from Kilkenny.

The 10k Run incorporate the Irish road championships under the auspices of Athletics Ireland and the largest field ever for the event, an 8% increase on last year of 475, has entered as club runners chase fast times and personal bests.

The Run gets under way at 1:10 (elite women) and 1:30 (men). It will be preceded by the SPAR Junior Run at 11:30, the SPAR Great Ireland Mile at 12:20, and the SPAR Mini Run at 12:30.

Personal late entries for the event will be accepted at Life Style Sports in Blanchardstown on Friday 12 April (10 am to 7 pm) and Saturday 13 April (10 am to 4 pm) subject to availability.

Willie O' Byrne, Managing Director, BWG Foods (owners and operators of SPAR Ireland) said:

“We are delighted during SPAR Ireland’s 50th anniversary celebrations to be headline sponsor of the SPAR Great Ireland Run 2013. It is fantastic to see international athletes of the calibre of Kenenisa Bekele and Gemma Steel travelling to Ireland once again to defend their titles in the SPAR Great Ireland Run, particularly in this year of The Gathering. It is also wonderful to see that we have a greater number of children participating in this year’s SPAR Junior Great Ireland Run and the SPAR Mini Great Ireland Run, ensuring it is an event for all the family.”

RTE Two television will broadcast the Run live in a special programme.

The SPAR Great Ireland Run is the only event in Ireland recognised by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), the world governing body of athletics, with an IAAF Silver Road Race Label in recognition of the event’s high standard of organisation, elite participation and media profile.

Nearly 1,000 entrants in the Run are from the UK and their participation will be a significant boost to The Gathering and tourism in Dublin as they travel to the city for the weekend with family and friends.

Many participants are running for good causes including SPAR’s charity partner, The 3Ts - Turn the Tide of Suicide, providers of 1800 247 100, 1 Life, 24 hour suicide prevention helpline. The Run’s other nominated charity is the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation. The Baby Max Wings of Love Fund is the nominated charity for the Mini and Junior Runs.]]> https://www.time-to-run.com/forums/Thread-Great-Ireland-pre-event-2012 Fri, 13 Apr 2012 13:42:28 +0000 TheEd]]> https://www.time-to-run.com/forums/Thread-Great-Ireland-pre-event-2012
Kenenisa Bekele from Ethiopia, the reigning double Olympic champion at 5,000 and 10,000 metres, and current world record holder at both distances, will open his campaign to defend his Olympic titles in London this summer on the roads of the Phoenix Park.

Bekele will be the inspiring presence for the children who have signed up for Ireland’s largest ever running events: the SPAR Mini Great Ireland Run for 5 to 8 year olds, and the SPAR Junior Great Ireland Run for 9 to 15 year olds.

Among the many celebrities taking part will be:

American actor and Ugly Betty star Eric Mabius

Boyzone member and actor Keith Duffy

Radio and TV talk show presenters Matt Cooper and Craig Doyle

Model and former Miss World Rosanna Davison

Diarmuid Gavin, garden designer, TV show host and Chelsea Flower Show gold medallist

Irish actor Jason Barry from Titanic and film director David Caffrey

Coronation Street star John Michie (Karl Munro)

Emmerdale cast member Tony Audenshaw (Bob Hope)

RTE children’s TV show presenter Diana Bunici

Ireland’s most successful female athlete, Sonia O’Sullivan will be present to start the Junior Run along with Catherina McKiernan, Irish marathon record holder whose children will be taking part.

Bekele will be strongly challenged in the elite men’s Run where defending champion, Jesus Espana from Spain will be joined by his compatriot and European cross country silver medallist Ayad Lamdassem to fully test how Bekele’s winter training has gone before he takes to the track for the first time in Doha next month. Also in the field are European 2010 10,000 metre bronze medallist, Daniele Meucci from Italy and Nick McCormick from Britain. The home runners will be led by Clonliffe Harrier and Olympic marathon qualifier, Mark Kenneally and national cross country champion, Eddie McGinley.

The women’s field will be led by the defending champion and runner-up from last year, Charlotte Purdue and Gemma Steel from Britain. They will be challenged by Aniko Kalovics from Hungary, Christelle Daunay from France and Ireland’s Olympic marathon qualifiers Linda Byrne and Ava Hutchinson from Dundrum South Dublin AC and Maria McCambridge from Letterkenny AC.

Once again, the run incorporate the Irish 10k road championships under the auspices of Athletics Ireland and a host of strong Irish club runners will be looking for fast times and personal bests.

The 10k gets under way at 1:15 pm and will be preceded by the SPAR Junior Run at 11:15 and the SPAR Mini Run at 11:30 over a distance of 2.5 km.

Personal late entries for the event will be accepted at Life Style Sports in Blanchardstown on Friday 13th April (12:00 to 19:00) and Saturday 14th April 2012 (10:00 to 16:00) subject to availability.

Suzanne Weldon, Marketing & Communications Director of SPAR Ireland said: “As title sponsor of the SPAR Great Ireland Run we are thrilled to welcome the world’s greatest distance runner, Kenenisa Bekele to Dublin. This summer’s Olympic Games are close to home in London and I hope that our Irish elite participants, and our visitors, go on to distinguish themselves there in August. Just as importantly, we support events like the Great Ireland Run because they offer families and individuals a fantastic day out for all ages and abilities to enjoy the challenge of staying fit and healthy. We are particularly pleased that so many children have entered the Mini and Junior Runs. I would like to wish all participants in Sunday’s SPAR Great Ireland Run an enjoyable and fun experience.”

2012 is the tenth running of the event in Dublin which has grown rapidly in popularity since the first Run in 2003. RTE Two television will broadcast the Run live in a special programme.

The SPAR Great Ireland Run is the only event in Ireland recognised by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), the world governing body of athletics, with an IAAF Silver Road Race Label in recognition of the event’s high standard of organisation, elite participation and media profile.

Nearly 1,000 entrants in the Run are from the UK and their participation will be a significant boost to tourism in Dublin as they travel to the city for the weekend with family and friends.

Record numbers of participants are running for good causes including the SPAR charity of the year, The 3Ts - Turn the Tide of Suicide, providers of 1800 247 100, the 24 hour suicide prevention helpline. The Run’s other nominated charities are The Marie Keating Foundation and the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation. The Baby Max Wings of Love Fund is the nominated charity for the Mini and Junior Runs.]]>
Kenenisa Bekele from Ethiopia, the reigning double Olympic champion at 5,000 and 10,000 metres, and current world record holder at both distances, will open his campaign to defend his Olympic titles in London this summer on the roads of the Phoenix Park.

Bekele will be the inspiring presence for the children who have signed up for Ireland’s largest ever running events: the SPAR Mini Great Ireland Run for 5 to 8 year olds, and the SPAR Junior Great Ireland Run for 9 to 15 year olds.

Among the many celebrities taking part will be:

American actor and Ugly Betty star Eric Mabius

Boyzone member and actor Keith Duffy

Radio and TV talk show presenters Matt Cooper and Craig Doyle

Model and former Miss World Rosanna Davison

Diarmuid Gavin, garden designer, TV show host and Chelsea Flower Show gold medallist

Irish actor Jason Barry from Titanic and film director David Caffrey

Coronation Street star John Michie (Karl Munro)

Emmerdale cast member Tony Audenshaw (Bob Hope)

RTE children’s TV show presenter Diana Bunici

Ireland’s most successful female athlete, Sonia O’Sullivan will be present to start the Junior Run along with Catherina McKiernan, Irish marathon record holder whose children will be taking part.

Bekele will be strongly challenged in the elite men’s Run where defending champion, Jesus Espana from Spain will be joined by his compatriot and European cross country silver medallist Ayad Lamdassem to fully test how Bekele’s winter training has gone before he takes to the track for the first time in Doha next month. Also in the field are European 2010 10,000 metre bronze medallist, Daniele Meucci from Italy and Nick McCormick from Britain. The home runners will be led by Clonliffe Harrier and Olympic marathon qualifier, Mark Kenneally and national cross country champion, Eddie McGinley.

The women’s field will be led by the defending champion and runner-up from last year, Charlotte Purdue and Gemma Steel from Britain. They will be challenged by Aniko Kalovics from Hungary, Christelle Daunay from France and Ireland’s Olympic marathon qualifiers Linda Byrne and Ava Hutchinson from Dundrum South Dublin AC and Maria McCambridge from Letterkenny AC.

Once again, the run incorporate the Irish 10k road championships under the auspices of Athletics Ireland and a host of strong Irish club runners will be looking for fast times and personal bests.

The 10k gets under way at 1:15 pm and will be preceded by the SPAR Junior Run at 11:15 and the SPAR Mini Run at 11:30 over a distance of 2.5 km.

Personal late entries for the event will be accepted at Life Style Sports in Blanchardstown on Friday 13th April (12:00 to 19:00) and Saturday 14th April 2012 (10:00 to 16:00) subject to availability.

Suzanne Weldon, Marketing & Communications Director of SPAR Ireland said: “As title sponsor of the SPAR Great Ireland Run we are thrilled to welcome the world’s greatest distance runner, Kenenisa Bekele to Dublin. This summer’s Olympic Games are close to home in London and I hope that our Irish elite participants, and our visitors, go on to distinguish themselves there in August. Just as importantly, we support events like the Great Ireland Run because they offer families and individuals a fantastic day out for all ages and abilities to enjoy the challenge of staying fit and healthy. We are particularly pleased that so many children have entered the Mini and Junior Runs. I would like to wish all participants in Sunday’s SPAR Great Ireland Run an enjoyable and fun experience.”

2012 is the tenth running of the event in Dublin which has grown rapidly in popularity since the first Run in 2003. RTE Two television will broadcast the Run live in a special programme.

The SPAR Great Ireland Run is the only event in Ireland recognised by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), the world governing body of athletics, with an IAAF Silver Road Race Label in recognition of the event’s high standard of organisation, elite participation and media profile.

Nearly 1,000 entrants in the Run are from the UK and their participation will be a significant boost to tourism in Dublin as they travel to the city for the weekend with family and friends.

Record numbers of participants are running for good causes including the SPAR charity of the year, The 3Ts - Turn the Tide of Suicide, providers of 1800 247 100, the 24 hour suicide prevention helpline. The Run’s other nominated charities are The Marie Keating Foundation and the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation. The Baby Max Wings of Love Fund is the nominated charity for the Mini and Junior Runs.]]> https://www.time-to-run.com/forums/Thread-Stars-Ready-for-Great-Ireland-Run Fri, 06 Apr 2012 08:32:39 +0000 TheEd]]> https://www.time-to-run.com/forums/Thread-Stars-Ready-for-Great-Ireland-Run
Among the leading lights confirmed to take part are:

American actor and Ugly Betty star Eric Mabius

Member of Boyzone and actor Keith Duffy

Radio and TV talk show presenters Matt Cooper and Craig Doyle

Model and former Miss World Rosanna Davison

Diarmuid Gavin, garden designer, TV show host and Chelsea Flower Show gold medallist

Irish actor Jason Barry from Titanic and film director David Caffrey

Coronation Street star John Michie (Karl Munro)

Emmerdale cast members Chris Chittell (Eric Pollard), Lesley Dunlop (Brenda Walker) and Tony Audenshaw (Bob Hope)

RTE children’s TV show presenter Diana Bunici

Many of the celebrities are taking part to support the events nominated charities, the Marie Keating Foundation and the Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation. Others are running for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research and other good causes.

10,000 runners, walkers and joggers are expected to participate in the event which gets under way at 1pm and is shown live on RTE television.

A further 1,200 children have entered the Mini and Junior Runs for five to eight and nine to fifteen year olds. These Runs will make up the largest ever children’s running event in Ireland.

The Junior Run starts at 11:15 followed by the Mini Run at 11:30. The Mini and Junior Runs take place over a flat 2.5km course which uses the same start and finish areas of the adult SPAR Great Ireland Run which starts at 1pm. The nominated charity for the Mini and Junior Runs is the Baby Max Wings of Love Fund.

Entries for the SPAR Great Ireland Run remain open at greatirelandrun.org until 9am on Tuesday 10th April. Those entering are now required to collect their numbers and Run packs at Lifestyle Sports in Blanchardstown during trading hours between noon on Thursday 12th and 4pm on Saturday 14th April.

At the front of the field, the 2012 Run plays host to the world’s greatest middle distance runner – Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia, the current double Olympic champion at 5,000 metres and 10,000 metres. He is also the world record holder at both distances. Bekele will be defending his titles at the London Olympic Games this summer and will be using the SPAR Great Ireland Run in Dublin as an important part of his build-up.

He will face stern competition from defending champion, Jesus Espana of Spain and his compatriot, Ayad Lamdassem, the European Cross Country silver medallist last year. Leading the home challenge will be Olympic marathon qualifier Mark Kenneally and national cross country champion Eddie McGinley.

The women’s field will be led by European Indoor 3,000 metre champion Helen Clitheroe from Great Britain who will be challenged strongly by Ireland’s Olympic marathon qualifiers Linda Byrne and Ava Hutchinson. Stern competition will also come from last year’s winner, Charlotte Purdue of Great Britain, Christelle Daunay of France, Hungary's Aniko Kalovics and Gemma Steel from Great Britain, runner-up in last year’s Run.]]>
Among the leading lights confirmed to take part are:

American actor and Ugly Betty star Eric Mabius

Member of Boyzone and actor Keith Duffy

Radio and TV talk show presenters Matt Cooper and Craig Doyle

Model and former Miss World Rosanna Davison

Diarmuid Gavin, garden designer, TV show host and Chelsea Flower Show gold medallist

Irish actor Jason Barry from Titanic and film director David Caffrey

Coronation Street star John Michie (Karl Munro)

Emmerdale cast members Chris Chittell (Eric Pollard), Lesley Dunlop (Brenda Walker) and Tony Audenshaw (Bob Hope)

RTE children’s TV show presenter Diana Bunici

Many of the celebrities are taking part to support the events nominated charities, the Marie Keating Foundation and the Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation. Others are running for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research and other good causes.

10,000 runners, walkers and joggers are expected to participate in the event which gets under way at 1pm and is shown live on RTE television.

A further 1,200 children have entered the Mini and Junior Runs for five to eight and nine to fifteen year olds. These Runs will make up the largest ever children’s running event in Ireland.

The Junior Run starts at 11:15 followed by the Mini Run at 11:30. The Mini and Junior Runs take place over a flat 2.5km course which uses the same start and finish areas of the adult SPAR Great Ireland Run which starts at 1pm. The nominated charity for the Mini and Junior Runs is the Baby Max Wings of Love Fund.

Entries for the SPAR Great Ireland Run remain open at greatirelandrun.org until 9am on Tuesday 10th April. Those entering are now required to collect their numbers and Run packs at Lifestyle Sports in Blanchardstown during trading hours between noon on Thursday 12th and 4pm on Saturday 14th April.

At the front of the field, the 2012 Run plays host to the world’s greatest middle distance runner – Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia, the current double Olympic champion at 5,000 metres and 10,000 metres. He is also the world record holder at both distances. Bekele will be defending his titles at the London Olympic Games this summer and will be using the SPAR Great Ireland Run in Dublin as an important part of his build-up.

He will face stern competition from defending champion, Jesus Espana of Spain and his compatriot, Ayad Lamdassem, the European Cross Country silver medallist last year. Leading the home challenge will be Olympic marathon qualifier Mark Kenneally and national cross country champion Eddie McGinley.

The women’s field will be led by European Indoor 3,000 metre champion Helen Clitheroe from Great Britain who will be challenged strongly by Ireland’s Olympic marathon qualifiers Linda Byrne and Ava Hutchinson. Stern competition will also come from last year’s winner, Charlotte Purdue of Great Britain, Christelle Daunay of France, Hungary's Aniko Kalovics and Gemma Steel from Great Britain, runner-up in last year’s Run.]]>