1,000 Take On Avondale Hospice Run

Spin me right round… SAT25FEB23

atest press release from Wicklow Hospice, issued on Monday, February 26th 2024…

On Saturday, 1,000 people took part in a very special tenth anniversary Wicklow Hospice Half Marathon and 10KM Race, all the while raising vital funds for Wicklow Hospice.

Taking in the beautiful course through Avondale Forest Park, participants were warmed up by local DJ Albert Webster and were accompanied along the route by local athletes JJ O’Byrne and Anne Marie Kenny.

The funds raised will go directly to Wicklow Hospice, allowing for the continuation and development of care in its state-of-the-art facility in Magheramore and across the community through Wicklow Hospice’s specialist Community Palliative Care Team.

Emily Barton, Senior Fundraising Manager at Our Lady’s Hospice & Care Services said: “As always, the people of Wicklow and beyond, came out in force to join us on the starting line and they were supported by friends and family along the route. It was very special to mark the tenth anniversary of the event with 1,000 participants running, walking, and supporting the care we provide at Wicklow Hospice.

“This event wouldn’t be possible without the support of the local community. We would like to express a sincere thanks to Coillte and Beyond the Trees Avondale, as well as to An Garda Siochána, Wicklow Civil Defence, Wicklow County Council, volunteer event stewards and donors who generously sponsored the participants. Not to mention DJ Albert Webster and athletes JJ O’Byrne and Anne Marie Kenny, who warmed up and supported our fantastic athletes”, she added.

Winners on the day were…

Half Marathon
1st Woman Shelia O’Byrne 1.26.52
2nd Woman Aoife Devine 1.32.41
3rd Woman Amey Bermingham 1.33.48

Devine, O’Byrne & Bermingham

1st Man Lee Lindsay 1.22.39
2nd Man Darragh Brennan 1.23.00
3rd Man Jack Teeling 1.23.12

10KM
1st Woman Niamh O’Connor 37.16
2nd Woman Eileen O’ Toole 44.50
3rd Woman Carolyn Ayton 45.57

1st Man Christopher O’Reilly 36.50
2nd Man Ben Kinsella 38.56
3rd Man Arran Sweetman 38.58

For the first time this year, all participants received a wooden medal, in an effort to reduce the carbon footprint of the event. Refill.ie also provided waste free water stations to reduce plastic waste. These were kindly sponsored by Wicklow Local Sports Partnership.

You can find out more about Wicklow Hospice here, and donate directly right over here.