Into the blue! New track at Claremont turning heads

Navan Athletic Club is hoping to host major events such as Leinster or even National Championships at its brand new track at Claremont Stadium.

The new vivid blue running surface is proving a major attraction at the moment with lots of people turning up to see the new track being laid.

The new facility is an Olympic standard eight-lane 400-metre running track and replaces the existing surface which has been in place over 20 years.

Claremont Stadium has been in existence for nearly 40 years. It is home to Navan Athletic Club and Parkvilla Football Club and has grown to be a huge part of sporting and community life in Meath.

The eight-lane track was laid 20 years ago, and as the normal life span is 10 to 12 years, it was well worn and needed to be fully replaced.

Mary Watters, chairperson of Navan AC explains that the new track still has to be marked out.

“We expect that to be finished by the middle of August and depending on the weather, we should be able to open it by the end of August,” she said.

The marking has to be specially done in order for the track to receive certification from the world athletic governing body, the IAAF and it needs time to dry.

She pointed out that there had been a lot of local fund raising for the new track and it is still ongoing.

Funding of €180, 000 was secured for the project under the Sports Capital Programme. It also received support from Meath Local Sports Partnership and they had to raise the final €50,000 themselves.

Fundraising for the project was boosted when Navan AC's Keith Russell completed a 24-hour marathon run at the track recently as part of the fund raising effort.

In the end he completed a staggering 226 kms - over five marathons.

“The track at Claremont Stadium has been the stage of many county, regional and schools championships for the past 20 years and provides the community of Navan and the surrounding area with an ideal training venue in a safe and healthy environment,” said Claremont Stadium manager Marjan Boers.

She explained that the facility is reopening but have to observe a number restrictions.

“We have a number of summer camps taking place at the moment.

“We also have a fit family fun challenge at the moment. We are asking families to run, hop or skip 50kms during August. They can register at myresults.ie and get sponsor cards.”

When the track is open again and fully operational it can be used by members of the public, you don't have to be a member,”

The old track is being recycled with Seneschalstown, Walterstown and Simonstown GAA clubs as well as St Brigid’s AC Oldcastle taking some lengths.