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Thursday, March 11, 2010
Ballybee recalls Olympic glory
IT’S a fact not known by many sports fans but Ballybunion was the training base of the Irish Olympic team in 1932, and this Easter, athletes from around the globe will be gathering in the town once again.
The inaugural Ballybunion Half-Marathon and 10km road race will take place on Easter Saturday, April 3, and athletes from as far afield as America, Finland and Bulgaria are already signing on in their droves.
As it happens, the 1932 Olympic Games were the most successful ever for the Irish team, as they took two gold medals in the 400m hurdles and the hammer throw.
Organisers this time around are hoping for an equally sparkling performance for their big event.
"The last time we would have had so many athletes in Ballybunion would probably have been back in 1932," organiser Joan O’Connor told The Kingdom.
"The hurdles were put up in the greens of the golf club, Ballybunion also had a dog track at the time and athletes timed themselves against the electric hare, so they were really different times," she joked.
The Ballybunion HalfMarathon and separate 10km race are the brainchild of Joan O’Connor and her husband John, and another Ballybunion couple, Pat and Rose Tracey.
"We were talking over the winter about the need to promote Ballybunion in a different way, and we came up with this idea. We are thrilled with the response so far, especially on our first time out," O’Connor said.
"We want to show people a Ballybunion that they didn’t know existed, and the race provides a platform for people to raise funds for a charity of their choice as well," she added.
Taking runners along some of the most scenic coastal scenery North Kerry has to offer the Ballybunion Half-Marathon is the perfect 13.1mile loop.
Starting in the town centre, the route will boast stunning views of beaches and cliff tops as runners race past the unspoiled Beale Strand before turning for home a few miles short of the village of Asdee, and as an added bonus for tired legs it even promises a fast downhill finish.
The entry fee for the Ballybunion HalfMarathon is ¤50, while the entry fee for the 10km race is ¤20. Entry to the 10km is free to any participants over the age of 60.
Entry is available online at www.runballybunion.com and course maps and other information are also available on the site.
1932 Olympic Games
HELD in Los Angeles, Caherdaniel’s Eamon Fitzgerald represented Ireland in the hop, skip and jump event, while Dr Pat O’Callaghan – a Cork man that worked in St Finan’s Hospital, Killarney – won a gold medal in the hammer. Bob Tisdall also won a gold medal for Ireland, winning the 400m hurdles.
Other notable incidents at the Games included Finland’s Paavo Nurmi being barred from competing because he was a professional, a victory podium was used for the first time, while the first Olympic Village was also built.
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