Notice...RNLI Reindeer Run...Skibbereen 22nd Nov & Fota 29th Nov 2015

This one might be of interest to anyone with young families or want to take part in a fun event while helping out the RNLI. There is a 5km Reindeer Run in Liss Ard Estate near Skibbereen on Sunday the 22nd of November and another one on the grounds of Fota House on Sunday the 29th of November.

Update...The rescheduled Reindeer Run in Fota will take place on Sunday the 24th of January 2016.

Entries......

Sun 22nd Nov...5k @11am / 10k @12 noon...Liss Ard Estate, Skibbereen...Click HERE

Sun 29th Nov ...5k @11am / 10k @12 noon...Fota Estate...Click HERE

From the RNLI......World champion Derval O’Rourke launches two RNLI Reindeer Runs in Cork 

The RNLI, the charity that saves lives at sea, has joined forces with World champion and European sprint hurdle medalist Derval O’Rourke to launch two RNLI Reindeer Runs in County Cork.

RNLI crew members Stephen Hurley from Union Hall RNLI, Liam Harty from Helvick Head RNLI, Martin Morris from Youghal RNLI and Shane Hurley from Union Hall RNLI (front) pictured with World champion Derval O’Rourke at the launch of the RNLI Reindeer Runs which will take place in Fota House and Gardens and Liss Ard Estate.

The three time Olympian athlete and author joined volunteer lifeboat crew from Cork to kick-start the festivities for the upcoming reindeer runs which will take place later this month. The events will be held at Liss Ard Estate in Skibbereen on Sunday 22 November and Fota House and Gardens outside Cobh on Sunday 29 November.

Due to the popularity of the reindeer run at Fota House which is now in its fourth year, the charity has introduced an extra venue at Liss Ard Estate. The stunning 200-acre site in West Cork is located close to the RNLI’s newest lifeboat station at Union Hall which was established on a trial basis in September last year.

Derval was joined by Union Hall RNLI crew members and Castlehaven GAA brothers Shane and Stephen Hurley, Helvick Head RNLI crew member Liam Harty and Youghal RNLI crew member Martin Morris.

Born and raised in County Cork where the RNLI has eight lifeboat stations, RNLI supporter Derval, is familiar with the charity’s lifesaving work: ‘Living in Cork, I am all too aware of the search and rescue work the RNLI carries out around the coast and of the commitment of its lifeboat crews who dedicate themselves to regular training and to responding to their pagers at any time of the day or night.

‘Having experienced the festive spirit at an RNLI reindeer run for the first time last year, I am delighted to see that the event is going from strength to strength and that the RNLI has introduced an additional venue for West Cork. These events are a great way for us to build in some exercise into what can be a hectic season while showing our support for our lifeboat crews as they continue to save lives at sea.’

Looking forward to the first reindeer run at Liss Ard Estate which begins at 10.30am, Stephen Hurley from Union Hall RNLI said: ‘We have had a busy first year in Union Hall and have been overwhelmed by the goodwill shown by the people of West Cork and much further afield.

‘Last year, RNLI lifeboats in Cork launched 163 times, bringing 218 people to safety. While the figures show that our lifeboat crews are busy all year round, some of our most challenging call outs will occur over the winter months. However, having the support of people who so generously fundraise and sign up to take part in events such as the reindeer run, means that we can avail of first class training and equipment and be ready to answer the call and help someone in need when our pagers go off.’ 

The second reindeer run in Cork takes place on Sunday, 29 November at Fota House and Gardens, starting at 10.30am.
 
All abilities and ages are catered for with participants choosing from a 5km or 10km walk/run or a shorter Santa Saunter.  Registration is now open online at rnli.org/reindeer and costs €20 for the 5K and €22 for the 10K. Children’s tickets are €10 and a family ticket (two adults and two children) is €55. All participants in the 5K and 10K will receive an RNLI Reindeer Run t-shirt, a pair of antlers and a car sticker.

Key facts about the RNLI.....The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the Ireland and the UK. The RNLI operates over 230 lifeboat stations with 44 in Ireland. The RNLI is independent of the Coast Guard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 137,000 lives. The RNLI is a charity registered in England, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland.

Charity number CHY 2678 in the Republic of Ireland and registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SCO37736)

Additional Info...This is the approx route for the event in Fota.

 While the route isn't the exact same of the Rebel Run4Fun 5k which was held there last August, much of it is the same. You can see some photos of that route HERE which should give you a good idea of what it's like.

For more info on Liss Ard Estate, go to http://www.lissardestate.com/

Have a look at the 'Directions' tab and also at the photos of the garden in the 'Gallery'.