All systems go for Tullamore Harriers half marathon

Bord na Móna has announced a partnership with the Tullamore Harriers Half Marathon as title sponsor for the race in 2022. The half marathon, which is in its ninth year, returns for the first time since 2019 following cancellations in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Tullamore Harriers Half Marathon will take place this Saturday, August 27 and is expected to attract 1200 participants from all over the country. The race will start from the Harriers Stadium at 11am, taking in a scenic route through Mucklagh, Killurin and Cloonagh before finishing with a lap of the stadium track.

This race is ideally suited to anyone training for the Dublin City Marathon or simply wanting to go the distance over 13.1 miles.

For almost 70 years, Tullamore Harriers has been a significant contributor to the local community providing sporting facilities and attracting thousands of visitors to Tullamore each year with the stadium hosting national and regional athletics competitions. It has a membership of over 500 and expert coaching is provided in both track and field and middle-distance training. Many of the senior and veteran members have been with the club since childhood.

Sharon Doyle from Bord na Móna said: “Bord na Móna has been a proud member of the midlands community for many years and we are delighted to support the Tullamore Harriers Half Marathon, which is now the fastest growing half marathon on the Irish race calendar. This event is a celebration of the hard work of these athletes and the important role that Tullamore Harriers plays in the wider community for athletics. Like Tullamore Harriers, Bord na Móna continues to grow and develop while creating opportunities for the midlands. We look forward to seeing everyone taking part and celebrating their involvement.”

Tullamore Harriers has thanked Bord na Mona for their endorsement and support. “We look forward to the return of our half marathon and wish to thank all our other supporting sponsors also who have contributed generously,” said a club spokesperson.

Half Marathon details

The race will start at 11am sharp with runners escorted to the start line (just outside the stadium grounds) at 10.45am.

The race starts on Charleville Road, just outside the Tullamore Harriers club grounds and finishes in the Tullamore Harriers stadium with a lap of the track.

Race numbers can be collected at registration in the Harriers clubhouse (Eircode: R35 CK22) on the morning of the race from 9am. T-shirts can be collected here too. You can also sign-in the previous evening from 6.30pm to 8pm.

There is a cut-off time of 3 hours. This is for health and safety reasons and to be fair to the marshals who have given up their time to support the athletes. The race begins at 11am and the course will close at 2pm. This means that the roads will re-open and there will be no marshals or water stations on the course after this time.

All entrants must be 18 years of age or older. Anyone who has registered to walk should make themselves known to race officials as soon as they arrive on race day. Walkers will start at the earlier time of 9.45am so that they will be able to complete the route while the course is still open. There will be road signs at each junction on the course but walkers should familiarise themselves with the course before they begin.

There will be road closures along the greater part of the route from 10.30am to 2pm which provides huge safety and comfort for athletes. Participants are asked to please follow the instructions of the Gardai and race marshals.

There will be ample free parking available in the grounds of the Tullamore Harriers Stadium. Toilets, changing rooms and showers will be available at Tullamore Harriers Stadium.

There will be a bag-drop facility at the stadium which will be attended throughout the event. Runners will need to show their race number when using this facility.

Runners are asked to help keep the route litter-free by dropping empty water bottles in the bins provided or at the next water station.

Two first-aid ambulances will be available for the duration of the event with one at the start/finish area and one “sweeping” the route. The bikers patrolling the route will also have basic first-aid kits (deep heat/plasters etc.).

For safety reasons participants are requested not to use personal music as the race is being run on open roads in some parts, so it is important that you be aware of traffic and instructions from marshals.

Prizes will be awarded as follows -1st €350; 2nd €250; 3rd €150; 4th €100; 5th €75; 6th €50; 1st O40 €75; 2nd O40 €50; 1st O50 €75; 2nd O50 €50; 1st O60 €50 – male and female; Course records (male & female) €100. 1st team of four men: €200 and the Quinlan Cup. 1st team of four ladies: €200 and the Phyllis Delaney Cup.

The prize giving will take place at 1.30pm on the stadium track near the finish line. As the race is chip-timed, your result will be available straight away and full results will be available online soon after the race ends on myrunresults.com The Offaly & Leinster Half Marathon Championships results will be announced as soon as possible.

*At the time of writing, a limited number of places were still available to register for the race on https://myrunresults.com