DLR COMMUNITY 5K 2010
A great afternoon of fun, activity and inclusion was had by all at the recent dlr Community 5K 2010. This event took place on the sunny 16th October in Kilbogget Park.
The fun event was a great opportunity for everyone to get out, be active and make new friends. Attended by both An Cathaoirleach Cllr. Lettie McCarthy and Minister for Culture, Tourism & Sport Mary Hanafin TD it proved to be a very popular event with loads of fun and excitement for all with nearly 300 people taking part.
An Cathaoirleach Cllr. Lettie McCarthy commented how "it was great to see such a wide range of ages and abilities, from the keen runners to wheelchair users to the toddlers being pushed by their parents, taking part and reaching the finishing line." The first place finishers in all three categories (make, female and disability) were from the County, but everyone who completed the five-kilometre route was a winner with some groups using the event to fundraise for their chosen charity. Each participant received a t-shirt, medal and refreshment pack on completing the course.
Kicking off Social Inclusion Week, the dlr Community 5K was organised by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Sports Partnership in conjunction with a number of local and statutory groups to provide a fun inclusive event for everyone. These groups included; staff in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, the HSE's Health Promotion Unit, dlr Leisure Services Ltd, Cabinteely Athletics Club and Sallynoggin College of Further Education. Funding for this event has was provided through the Rapid programme and the Social Inclusion Division of the Dept. of Community, Equality & Gaeltacht Affairs.
Kilbogget Park is well known as a hotbed of sport with this event adding to the sporting opportunities available in this public space. Fun is the key element to a lifelong involvement in sport and physical activity. So the key to the day was having fun - the exercise was just an added bonus.
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Sports Partnership works closely with those statutory bodies, organisations and groups operating in the county with a responsibility for or interest in participation, inclusion and coordination in sport at a local level. This includes the involvement of the County Council, VEC, Health Board, FÁS, education sector, sports clubs/organizations and voluntary/community groups.
According to Shane McArdle, Coordinator of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Sports Partnership, "the main aim of the Partnership is to increase participation rates in sport and physical activity in the county and to use local resources to best effect." This is certainly what happened on the day. "Inclusive participation is central to our ethos, and the team did all in their power to include people of all ages and abilities in the event."
A big thank you has to go to Cabinteely FC for the use of their clubhouse, the Parks Department in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council for their hard work, the Community Gardai for their help on the day and of course the volunteers who ensured that everyone was safe and had fun. With their help (and the appearance of the sun) the dlr Community 5K has firmly been established on the County Events calendar. Roll on 2011.
To find out more information on Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Sports Partnership please contact us at:
Phone: 01-2719502,
E-mail:
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or
Check out the website www.dlrsportspartnership.ie
