Champions Coscoran and Coghlan launch County Mile Challenge

Top Meath athlete Andrew Coscoran (Star of the Sea) and the legendary Eamonn Coghlan launched the Irish Life Health County Mile Challenge today with the event set for mid-August.

The Irish Life Health Mile Challenge will set out to see which county and club can take the prize of the fittest and most active.

The week-long challenge and celebration of athletics will start on Monday 17th August, the 35th anniversary of when four of Ireland's top milers, including Eamonn Coghlan, ran a 4x1-mile relay world record.

“In a time of uncertainty, running has offered escapism, calmed the mind, and provided a sense of normality for many," commented Eamonn Coghlan.

"Training for the Irish Life Health Mile challenge will provide a fresh focus for all runners," stated Star of the Sea athlete and National Indoor 1,500m champion Andrew Coscoran

"There is the bonus that if you can learn to run faster over a shorter distance, it will benefit your 5k and 10k times," he added.

Runners of all abilities and families, can sign up free at AthleticsIreland.ie.

Runners simply need to find a flat bit of ground, run their virtual mile, and clock their time.

A four-week online training programme for beginners, intermediate and advanced will be provided by the Athletics Ireland's coaching team.

For athletics club nationwide as well as contributing to the mileage of their county, there is €1,000 on offer for the fastest 4x1 mile relay, male and female.

Athletics clubs could also be in with a chance to win €1,000 equipment bursary for their club by downloading and signing up to Irish Life’s personalised health and wellbeing app, MyLife.