Raising sponsorship for the Bay Run Half-Marathon....

For anyone interested in raising funds or running for a charity in the up and coming Bay Run Half-Marathon on the 6th of May, here is a message from the organisers...

Bay Run - Half Marathon is now in its 7th year and to date has helped raise in excess of EUR70,000 for local charities and organisations. On top of this amount many locals take part in the event in order to raise money for their chosen local charities which has proven invaluable to these organisations. Each year the water stations and finish line are marshaled by persons representing the various charities and organisations and each station receives EUR1000 directly from the event. Bay Run - Half Marathon has 5 stations that it contributes to annually. Clubs and societies that have benefitted through the years include: The Bantry Hospice Project, Co-Action, Glengarrif National School, Derrycreha National School (2nd water station annually), Bay Rovers FC, Atlantic Challenge and the National Training and Development Centre in Bantry. The organisers of Bay Run – Half Marathon have shown their commitment to the event by investing all surplus monies back into the half marathon each year and declared this is not a ‘for-profit’ event.

The sense of local involvement is reinforced by the local Bantry businesses that support the Bay Run, with chairman of the BBA Mr.Gearoid O Leary describing the Bay Run as a great kick start to a busy summer of festivals in Bantry in this particularly tough economic environment. The Mayor of Bantry Rory O’Callaghan, who will also be participating in the event, commented on the importance of the Bay Run as a great community event that encourages people to be active and healthy. He also welcomed the fact that the run brings significant business to the area early in the tourist season. This local encouragement for fitness can not be over stated with the growth of the Fit4Life group which now attracts 350 people and is catering for all levels of runners and walkers which will hope to participate in Bay Run ’12.

As Bay Run - Half Marathon continues to grow and be recognised by past participants by being voted as the best half marathon in Munster for 2011 on the Running in Cork blog, it has continued to increase its work with charities. This year the event is offering a 20% discount code to several national charities. Therefore anyone interested in taking part in Bay Run '12 and raising money for worthy causes can contact anyone of the following charities to avail of their discount:
MS Ireland
Irish Heart Foundation
Irish Cancer Society

If you represent a charity or know of a charity that would also like to work with Bay Run '12 please get in touch with Ronan by dropping an email to info@bayrun.ie. Bay Run '12 will take place on May 6th 2012 and you can enter via the website www.bayrun.ie. Each participant receives an Under Armour tech t-shirt, finishers medal and goodie bag.