Sunday July 27th Three household name Irish athletes today helped launch the brand-new Athletics Ireland Family Fitness Festival; a fun-packed event that will take place in the stunning surroundings of the Farmleigh Estate in the Phoenix Park on Sunday, July 27th. This year’s Women’s Mini-Marathon winner Annette Kealy, four-times World Cross Country Silver Medallist Catherina McKiernan and Beijing-bound athlete Roisin McGettigan were all present at Farmleigh to give a ringing endorsement to this new initiative from Athletics Ireland and the Office of Public Works, who have combined to organise this family-focussed event. Athletics Ireland’s Family Fitness Festival will be an action-packed day of fun events emphasising the importance of regular physical activity and healthy choices for both children and adults – a perfect opportunity for the whole gang to experience a variety of sporting activities in the beautiful surroundings of Farmleigh in the Phoenix Park. The Athletics Ireland Family Fitness Festival will be specially tailored for families to spend an active and entertaining Sunday trying out and learning about a range of physical activities that can improve their overall wellbeing. The Athletics Ireland Fitness Festival will also give parents the opportunity to introduce their kids - even reluctant ones - to the joy and excitement of taking part in a range of sporting pursuits. The Festival will include a programme of supervised physical challenges specially designed to engross and excite children from ages 5 to 14. Games of running, jumping, throwing and balance that will test the child’s agility, concentration and co-ordination will earn them a Goody Bag as a reward for participating. There will also be attractions for adults. For starters you can run, jog, or walk the 5K road event (open to all over 12) through scenic Phoenix Park. There’s also a family-focused Treasure Run to test your orienteering skills, along with a Health & Fitness Expo. Musical entertainment will also be provided, along with a Farmers’ Market. “I love this idea of a Family Fitness Festival,” former Irish Olympian and national women’s marathon record holder, Catherina McKiernan said. “I think this is a brilliant idea from Athletics Ireland and the OPW and it is bound to be a winner with families. I look forward to meeting loads of parents and children in Farmleigh on July 27th.” Mary Coghlan, CEO of Athletics Ireland, believes this is a great opportunity to get the whole family out for a fun day. “The Athletics Ireland Family Fitness Festival is the perfect opportunity for families to come together and enjoy what promises to be a great day in Farmleigh House. We will have something for everybody and in beautiful surrounding where the whole family can relax and learn on how to stay fit together. Events of this nature are very important for Athletics Ireland as they include the ability for everyone to participate and feel part of a wider community who are interested in a healthier lifestyle.” Mother-of-four Annette Kealy, who won this year’s Flora Women’s Mini-Marathon, is also looking forward to the Athletics Ireland Family Fitness Festival. “I would recommend this big day out to all the women who took part in the Flora Women’s Min-Marathon,” Kealy said.”The Women’s Mini-Marathon is a huge day for the women of Ireland and now it is wonderful to see that there is a complete family-focussed day celebrating fitness and wellbeing. My husband Eoin and I will be running in the 5K road race and we will then enjoy the rest of the day at the Fitness Festival with our four children. It should be a delightful occasion and a good day too for a family picnic. Participation in the Athletics Ireland Family Fitness Festival must be booked online at www.familyfitnessfestival.ie