Event will find Ireland’s fastest professions and county! 
World champion hurdler Derval O’Rourke and former world champion and Ireland’s best known miler Eamonn Coghlan were on hand recently to launch the inaugural SPAR Mile Challenge at the Irishtown Stadium in Ringsend, Dublin. The SPAR Mile Challenge, which will be one of the biggest participation events in the country during 2007, will take place in 28 venues across Ireland on the 6/7th of July. The Sligo leg of the event, organised by Co Sligo Athletics Board will take place at Sligo I.T Track on Friday evening 6th July – start time 7 p.m. Coincidentally the Irish mile record was set on the 7th July date 25 years ago by Ray Flynn. The event has been created to encourage people of all ages, shapes, sizes and fitness levels to run,jog or walk a mile on that evening, whether it is for charity, for a challenge or just for fun with friends and family. Those running for charity can select their own or opt for SPAR’s chosen charity which is the Irish Hospice Foundation. All those who compete will be accurately timed and graded to show what category of runner they fall into from novice to expert. The grading scheme is based on the colours of the rainbow with the fastest runners in the red band all the way to the violet band. It is hoped that by introducing people to physical activity in such a fun and community environment that it will help to raise the overall level of fitness in the nation. Every participant’s time will be recorded and the information collated on the day will give an interesting insight into the fitness of the nation. The results will tell us which is the fittest county in Ireland, what is the average time in each age group and what it is the fittest profession. Participants can compare themselves to others of similar age in their county or across the country. Brendan Hackett, CEO of Athletics Ireland, sees this as a great chance to get the nation out running “The SPAR Mile Challenge is all about fun and getting people involved in running at a very informal level. We hope to see families, friends and work colleagues competing together and challenging themselves. This is an event that is within everybody’s reach,” Hackett said at the launch. Peter Kealy, CEO of SPAR Ireland, said “We are delighted to announce the launch of the SPAR Mile Challenge on the 07/07/2007. SPAR already has a strong association with athletics through the SPAR International sponsorship of European indoor and outdoor championship events and of course our own sponsorship of world champion hurdler Derval O’Rourke. With SPAR’s retail focus on healthy eating in our stores in makes sense that we should also promote activities that help to keep customers fit and active. The SPAR Mile Challenge does just that and will be a great event for participants at all levels of fitness. Truly, it is not about winning but about being involved, for you and your family and friends”. 
Local athletes Ryan Monaghan, North Sligo AC recent Irish Schools Under 16 champion and Dermot McDermott, Sligo AC test the track in Sligo as they prepare for the Spar Mile Challenge Standing L/r Ray Flynn, Sligo Athletics Board, Terry Hayes, Sligo Athletics Board, Eamon Harvey, R.D.O. Athletics Ireland and Anne McHugh Sligo Athletics Board Front L/r Two local juvenile athletes with Ryan Monaghan, North Sligo AC -recent Irish Schools Under 16 Mile Champion and Dermot McDermott, Sligo AC. Those looking to take part in the SPAR Mile Challenge on the 6th or 7th July can pick up a leaflet in their local SPAR store or register online at 
Venues Antrim – Antrim Forum Carlow – St. Laurence O’Toole Track Clare – Ennis Cork – Ballincollig Cork – Bandon Cork – Mitchelstown Cork – CIT Track Cork – Mardyke Track Donegal – Letterkenny Dublin – Esker Track, Lucan Dublin – Irishtown Stadium, Ringsend Dublin – Morton Stadium, Santry Dublin – Tallaght Track Galway – UCG Track, Dangan Kerry – Castleisland Kildare – Newbridge Kilkenny – Scanlon Park, Kilkenny Limerick – University of Limerick Arena Mayo – Ballina Meath – Claremont Stadium, Navan Monaghan - Beech Hill, Monaghan Offaly – Tullamore Harriers, Tullamore Sligo – Sligo I.T. Track Tipperary – Templemore Waterford – RSC, Waterford Westmeath – Mullingar Wexford – New Ross Wicklow - Greystones For further information: Ray Flynn, Sligo Co Board 0876566215 raymondflynn2004@yahoo.ie Eamon Harvey,R.D.O Athletics Ireland 0872797548 eamon@athleticsireland.ie
World champion hurdler Derval O’Rourke and former world champion and Ireland’s best known miler Eamonn Coghlan were on hand recently to launch the inaugural SPAR Mile Challenge at the Irishtown Stadium in Ringsend, Dublin. The SPAR Mile Challenge, which will be one of the biggest participation events in the country during 2007, will take place in 28 venues across Ireland on the 6/7th of July. The Sligo leg of the event, organised by Co Sligo Athletics Board will take place at Sligo I.T Track on Friday evening 6th July – start time 7 p.m. Coincidentally the Irish mile record was set on the 7th July date 25 years ago by Ray Flynn. The event has been created to encourage people of all ages, shapes, sizes and fitness levels to run,jog or walk a mile on that evening, whether it is for charity, for a challenge or just for fun with friends and family. Those running for charity can select their own or opt for SPAR’s chosen charity which is the Irish Hospice Foundation. All those who compete will be accurately timed and graded to show what category of runner they fall into from novice to expert. The grading scheme is based on the colours of the rainbow with the fastest runners in the red band all the way to the violet band. It is hoped that by introducing people to physical activity in such a fun and community environment that it will help to raise the overall level of fitness in the nation. Every participant’s time will be recorded and the information collated on the day will give an interesting insight into the fitness of the nation. The results will tell us which is the fittest county in Ireland, what is the average time in each age group and what it is the fittest profession. Participants can compare themselves to others of similar age in their county or across the country. Brendan Hackett, CEO of Athletics Ireland, sees this as a great chance to get the nation out running “The SPAR Mile Challenge is all about fun and getting people involved in running at a very informal level. We hope to see families, friends and work colleagues competing together and challenging themselves. This is an event that is within everybody’s reach,” Hackett said at the launch. Peter Kealy, CEO of SPAR Ireland, said “We are delighted to announce the launch of the SPAR Mile Challenge on the 07/07/2007. SPAR already has a strong association with athletics through the SPAR International sponsorship of European indoor and outdoor championship events and of course our own sponsorship of world champion hurdler Derval O’Rourke. With SPAR’s retail focus on healthy eating in our stores in makes sense that we should also promote activities that help to keep customers fit and active. The SPAR Mile Challenge does just that and will be a great event for participants at all levels of fitness. Truly, it is not about winning but about being involved, for you and your family and friends”. Local athletes Ryan Monaghan, North Sligo AC recent Irish Schools Under 16 champion and Dermot McDermott, Sligo AC test the track in Sligo as they prepare for the Spar Mile Challenge Standing L/r Ray Flynn, Sligo Athletics Board, Terry Hayes, Sligo Athletics Board, Eamon Harvey, R.D.O. Athletics Ireland and Anne McHugh Sligo Athletics Board Front L/r Two local juvenile athletes with Ryan Monaghan, North Sligo AC -recent Irish Schools Under 16 Mile Champion and Dermot McDermott, Sligo AC. Those looking to take part in the SPAR Mile Challenge on the 6th or 7th July can pick up a leaflet in their local SPAR store or register online at Venues Antrim – Antrim Forum Carlow – St. Laurence O’Toole Track Clare – Ennis Cork – Ballincollig Cork – Bandon Cork – Mitchelstown Cork – CIT Track Cork – Mardyke Track Donegal – Letterkenny Dublin – Esker Track, Lucan Dublin – Irishtown Stadium, Ringsend Dublin – Morton Stadium, Santry Dublin – Tallaght Track Galway – UCG Track, Dangan Kerry – Castleisland Kildare – Newbridge Kilkenny – Scanlon Park, Kilkenny Limerick – University of Limerick Arena Mayo – Ballina Meath – Claremont Stadium, Navan Monaghan - Beech Hill, Monaghan Offaly – Tullamore Harriers, Tullamore Sligo – Sligo I.T. Track Tipperary – Templemore Waterford – RSC, Waterford Westmeath – Mullingar Wexford – New Ross Wicklow - Greystones For further information: Ray Flynn, Sligo Co Board 0876566215 raymondflynn2004@yahoo.ie Eamon Harvey,R.D.O Athletics Ireland 0872797548 eamon@athleticsireland.ie 
