Sligo Athletic Club: Running Shoes

Research carried out by the E.R.S.I in 2005 showed that less than 1 in 5 women in Ireland spent the recommended 30 minutes of exercise daily. While some three quarters of women at that time did some physical activity it was done with insufficient regularity or intensity of effort to meet the minimum standard. That 2005 report stung people into action and bodies such as the Irish Sports Council have put a lot of planning and resources into the Women in Sport Initiative. The objective of the Women in Sport programme has been to raise the overall physical activity levels and to support women’s roles within sporting organisations. Sligo sports partnership have been very active in promoting the Women in Sport programme and recently over 80 cyclists completed the 40k tour of Lough Gill. Next Sunday runners get in on the act with Sligo Athletic Club promoting the women’s only 5k road race. Over 100 nubile women are expected to line out at the starting line in Ballydoogan. The race will take a route around that area. Local Sligo lady Eimear O’Brien, who has returned from her 3 year scholarship in the USA, is one of the leading contenders to lead the women home. These are awards in all categories including the walking section. Entries will be taken in St. Mary’s GAA clubhouse from 11am. People who have entered online can also collect their numbers in the same venue.
A lot of the participants in Sunday’s race will have gotten a chance to limber up in Tuesday's first leg of the Fit 4 Life road league. The venue was Mitchell Curley Park and the distance 2 miles. This autumn league will continue every two weeks and will conclude in Early December.
Over 750 primary school children recently competed in a very successful relay competition at the athletics track at Sligo I.T. Most of the schools Sligo County had teams which is very encouraging for our sport. Well done to Sligo A.A.I. County board officials who turned out to organise the event which was held in conjunction with Sligo sports partnership.
A lot of the same children turned out last Saturday for the Sligo County cross country and race walking primary schools races. Held in balmy weather conditions on a splendid cross country course in Calry, there was some great competition and some very impressive performances. The leaking teams and individuals have now qualified for the Connaught finals which will be held in the same venue.
At a very enjoyable function in Sligo Southern hotel on Saturday evening last. Sligo Athletic Club honoured all national medal winners in the 13 people in juveniles. Seniors and Masters brought home national medals in a year. This is a wonderful achievement and is testimony to the good coaches at the club. It is hoped to make this an annual event and let’s hope that we have as many or maybe more recipients in a year’s time.