The inspiration for this race, which was run for the first time on August 15 1986, came from that great sports man Jack Mahon who had attended a number of such races in different parts of the country. It was run under the auspices of Clare River Harriers with a B.L.E. licence. It was a race designed for all the family with a central theme of “Sport for All” and was described as a ‘fun run’; there were no elite prizes but local businesses sponsored right down the field. There was a big display of the medallions for all the category winners in the window of The Great Outdoors.
The race was known as The Cospóir Streets of Galway 8K, and it was organised in such a way as to encourage people to go out and run. Every runner who completed the course received a specially printed certificate. The committee were confident of success as the entries poured in. Five hundred and forty runners took part. They came from as far away as England and the Aran Islands. The oldest runner was the great Willie Morris who travelled all over the country for races. Mick Molloy, another well-known runner, took part as did the hurler Seán Silke. The entry fee was £4.
The race director was the distinguished Galway rugby referee Michael Roche; the race was started by the former Olympic Champion, Ronnie Delaney and the man on the microphone was Ralph O’Gorman. The start was at the Browne Doorway, then they moved through Eglinton Street past the Regional Hospital, through Nile Lodge to Devon Park up to Threadneedle Road, past Blackrock then along the Promenade to the finish at the Claddagh Hall.
That race coincided with the Arts Festival so a bit of street entertainment kept the runners entertained before the start. it was won by Brendan Hilliard with the promising local talent Anthony Spellman finishing a close second. Niamh Keane was the first lady past the post. The proceeds of the race went to Cheshire Homes.
This annual athletics event has grown steadily in popularity over the years, reflecting the growing growth of running and active lifestyles across the region. This year on the fortieth anniversary of the first race, four thousand runners will take part with participants ranging from elite athletes and club runners to first timers on a personal challenge.
This year’s race is generously sponsored by Medtronic. To add to the celebrations, fitness expert and Laya Health Ambassador, Karl Henry will lead the official warmup at the Claddagh.
A report on the first race by Lindie Naughton in the Evening Press included the following; “Out on the course, it was clear that the west of Ireland is not yet used to mass runners taking over the streets. The few spectators stood silent as we passed, while traffic showed no consideration whatever for what was going on. Mind you, a few more stewards out on the route to stop traffic and organise a bit of support for the runners would have helped. For instance, there were hundreds of people on the promenade, but rather than give the runners a cheer, they simply got in the way”.
This year, the race starts at the Claddagh Hall, otherwise the route is the same as above, and as it marks four decades of running through the heart of Galway, the organisers are encouraging communities across the city to play their part by coming out to support participants along the course. The support of spectators is one of the most important elements of the race and this event has always been more than running. It is about community. So, to help this special milestone, they would love to see the people of Galway come out in force and help make this the biggest and best atmosphere they have ever had by cheering and applauding the participants.
Our photographs show A ) Niamh Keane, the first lady past the finishing line in the 1986 race. B ) Veronice Dooley, Rahylin Glebe, Ballybane and Margaret Sheridan, Mervue who took part in the same race; C ) A group of runners in the 2007 event reflected in a puddle on the prom.
Our sincere thanks to Brian Bruton and Alan Walsh for their help with the above.
