Fairyhouse Racecourse venue for Ratoath AC half marathon on Saturday morning
Star of the Sea athlete Aoife Parrella is the holder of the Ratoath AC half marathon record and could be set to defend her title this weekend at the
sold-out event at Fairyhouse Racecourse on Saturday morning.
An estimated 1,300 athletes are expected to converge on Fairyhouse racecourse for Saturday's second annual half marathon and 5k, 9am.
A feature of this popular Athletics Ireland-approved event is that the finish line will be in front of the iconic Fairyhouse grandstand.
The half marathon route is a flat, fast PB-focused left-hand course.
The course takes the runners of Fairyhouse racecourse through exit Gate 3 and on through the flat country roads.
The runners pass through Kilbride village, up Glascairn Lane, left onto Fairyhouse Road, left into the main gates of the racecourse.
ROUTE MAP
The runners will then complete one lap of the racecourse with the finish under the shadow of the famous grandstand.
There will be pacemakers at 1:30, 1:40, 1:50, 2:00, 2:15, 2:30 for the Half Marathon to help runners along on their way as they chase their own PBs. The distances are officially measured and certified.
The 5k Fun Run route is confined to within the grounds of Fairyhouse, finishing off with one lap of the racecourse with the conclusion of the event also under the grandstand.
The Fun Run will include over 130 couch to 5k runners taking part, all of whom have been training with Ratoath AC for the past seven weeks.
The Meath Chronicle will have FB Live from Fairyhouse from about 8.30am on Saturday morning.
PRIZES
Over €4,000 worth of prizes up for grabs on the day
Half Marathon Prizes:
Male & Female
1st €250 + €100 Run Hub Voucher + Brooks Runners
2nd €150 + €75 Run Hub Voucher + Brooks Runners
3rd €100 + €50 Run Hub Voucher + Brooks Runners
Male & Female
40 1st, 2nd & 3rd
45 1st, 2nd & 3rd
50 1st, 2nd & 3rd
TEAM PRIZE: €200 per team.
1st Male Team (4 on a team to score)
1st Female Team (4 on a team to score)
Course Record Breaker prize for the Half Marathon – €150 cash prize for the first male and female runner to break our current race record which is:
Male record 1:14:48 held by Stephen Kelly Drogheda and District AC Sponsored by The Run Hub
Female record: 1:31:47 held by Aoife Parrella Star of the Sea AC Sponsored by Legend fitness