The Spar Great Ireland Run is an annual 10-kilometre road running competition in the Phoenix Park, Dublin, Ireland. Part of the Great Run Series, the Great Ireland Run was first staged in Loughrea, County Galway, before moving to Dublin in 2003. The Great Ireland Run is televised live on RTE and is the only event in Ireland to have IAAF Silver label status. All finishers in the senior event receive a technical tee shirt, medal and generous goody bag.
Together with a collection of the world's finest athletes will be thousands of runners of all abilities and enthusiastic children raring to go. Olympic athletes are sure to be an inspiring presence, but it's always the younger ones’ that really add to the fun of the weekend.
Familiar faces from television and film will be there to leave some starry eyed whilst others get autographs and pose for pictures.
Last year saw Ireland's most successful female athlete as the honorary starter for the Junior Run, Sonia O’Sullivan standing alongside Catherine McKiernan, the Irish marathon record holder, to fire off the 9-15 year old category.
It will be the second time the 3-8 year old Mini 1.6k will take place in Ireland, and the pace is always fast from the off. The sight of little ones dragging their parents along the leafy course, to come home in first place, is a guaranteed winner for everyone involved.
Broadcast live to the nation, the race's popularity and reach was evident last year with nearly 1,000 entrants traveling from abroad.
