After a hectically busy year on track and field, An Ríocht Athletic Club has just one major outdoor event left before they can unwrap plans for 2019.
On the morning of the great, worldwide unwrapping frenzy, people in the general Castleisland area will meet on Christmas morning at An Ríocht’s pavilion and exchange the greetings of the season and go for a walk on the track.
Endured and Matured
The event, which has now endured and matured nicely since its introduction to Castleisland in 1999, has gathered its own customs and habits around itself.
Top of the list is that of giving as the morning is based on the near nationwide GOAL Mile concept where you walk a mile and donate a pile.
You don’t have to do either to the criteria outlined above but walk as much as you can and give what you can to the donations box which will be placed in the reception area.
There are steaming kettles and mugs of hot port and the inimitable Pats Broderick blessing and cursing in the one breath and maintaining the link there from day one.
A Healthy Start
If you have family and friends around you this Christmas or if you find yourself on your own, the annual charity outing is a great way of getting the day off to a healthy start. It may not keep going quite like that but let the seanfhocail: tús maith, leath na hoibre trigger a bit of activity in the morning from 10am.
This year the funds raised will go towards GOAL’s overseas operations and two local charities, Pieta House and St. John of God /Oileán Beó Craft Co-Op which is based at An Ríocht AC.
Speedy Recovery to Denis
Castleisland event founder, Denis Brosnan had a bit of a set back recently and we send him our best wishes for a full recovery.
It was the same Denis who was waist deep in the founding of An Riocht AC and in the putting in place of the magnificient stadium we have today.
Rudolph Run -The Final 5K of 2018
After a great year of well attended Couch to 5K introductions and road races, An Riocht AC held its final such event on Sunday and over 200 registered runners and walkers braved the brutal elements which prevailed on the morning.
Many complained of a cross wind – a very cross wind which couldn’t make up its mind from which direction it was coming.
Extra Special on Rudolph Day
All were delighted to finish and that creates a magic all of its own at any time of the year. It’s extra special on the Run Rudolph Run though as the catering corps goes into overdrive and you’d be well surprised at how important that just over the line medal presentation is to the finishers.
Bernadette, Chris and Gang
In the kitchen, Bernadette and Chris and their gang weave their magic in a loaves and fishes, miraculous kind of way and it sends both locals and visitors away with a sweet taste of the event and of the place.
And, maybe just as importantly, it brings them back.
Results, placings and times can be accessed with a click on the link here: https://www.webscorer.com/race?raceid=163888
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