Achill Half Marathon calling

Achill Half-Marathon calling


THE countdown to this year’s Achill Half-Marathon is on – and it promises to be bigger and better than ever.
Now in its sixth year, the 13-mile event takes place on the spectacular west Mayo island course on July 2. And with entries capped at 2,500 (which will be the biggest entry to date) this year, would-be participants are encouraged to register as soon as possible.
Now one of the most popular fixtures on the national running calendar, the Achill Half-Marathon is also a charity event – and this year’s beneficiaries are St Colaman’s Care Centre in Achill and Croí, the west of Ireland heart charity. The event is open to all participants, from the casual jogger or keen walker all the way through to the elite runner.
A variety of entertainment events will also take place on the day and these, coupled with the beautiful scenery and local warmth, make the Achill Half-Marathon an ideal event for all the family.
According to Race Director and Manager of Achill Tourism, Helen Applegarth, there are many reasons why people keep coming back to the popular tourism destination for the marathon.
“Feedback from runners tells us it’s a combination of the challenging course, the beautiful views and the local hospitality that makes it so attractive to them. Over 8,000 people visited the Island during last year’s race also, so it certainly appears to have captured both the heart and the imagination,” she said.
The cost of entry is €60, which includes a goodie bag and a meal voucher after the race.
To register, please go to www.achillmarathon.com.