The sixth annual Honda Fun Run took place on Sunday from An Riocht Athletic Club. The event, which is held in aid of Oilean Beo, St John of God, Community Services here in Castleisland began to take registrations from around 9-30am and the 65 bikers took off shortly after 11am.
The skies were threatening as they left but they returned at around 4-30pm in a blaze of glory and sunshine and a to blare of bike and car horns as their impressive cavalcade made its way up through Main Street and back to where they started out that morning.
The Honda Fun Run was founded by the Griffin family in 2009 to commemorate their brother John who was a member of Oilean Beo and who died in August 2008.
In 2012 the Oilean Beo group lost another fond member and friend in Ballymacelligott native, Maurice Culloty. There is a truck run in memory of Maurice each May.
Oilean Beo was started in 2003 in Castleisland by St. John of God, Kerry Services to provide a day service for adults with Intellectual Disabilities who live in the Sliabh Luachra area.
The run took in its usual 80 or so mile route all over North Kerry. After leaving Castleisland the bikers headed for Abbeyfeale and onto Duagh, Listowel, Lisselton, Ballyduff, Causeway, Ballyheigue and onto Kerry Head. On the way back home they made their way onto Ardfert, through Tralee and home.
The bikers had a full mechanical back up service. As it turned out, the day provided a spectacular scene for participants and spectators along the route. Entry fee for the Fun Run was €25 and all bikes and bikers from all over Munster were warmly welcomed. Refreshments were provided before, during and after the event.
Organiser, Jim Griffin asked that all involved at any level of the event be thanked for making the day the success it was.
He asked that the ‘Goldwing Club’ be thanked for their marshalling duties on the day.
