Mayo 'Marathon Kids 2022' Launch
Date: 03-02-2022
A great success in Castlebar !!
A fantastic, fun filled morning was held in Castlebar last Friday 28th January at the launch of Mayo Sports Partnerships new Primary Schools Initiative in partnership with Marathonkids Ireland, targeting 5th & 6th Class students.
The launch tied in with the official opening of St. Angela’s 500m walkway, with Marathon Kids ambassador David Gillick – former Olympian cutting the tape.
Representatives from St Angela’s N.S, St Patrick’s Boys School, past pupils, local politicians including Mayo Sports Partnership Chairman Cllr Michael Loftus were all there to celebrate the occasion.
The highlight of the morning being the visit from David Gillick and most importantly the kids taking part, who are the heart and reason for programmes like these.
Welcoming David Gillick to Mayo Cllr Loftus said “Mayo Sports Partnership is delighted to launch this new primary schools participation Marathon Kids initiative here in Mayo. The collaborative approach from partners such as the Active School Flag, Mayo Education Centre, Abbott International, Mayo County Council, Primary Schools such as St Angelas and Marathon Kids is key to its success”
Opening the event, David Gillick expressed that he was truly overwhelmed by the turn out at St Angelas and thanked everyone for turning up. He commented ‘This is where it all starts, where the athletes of the future are born.’
Commenting on the new walkway St Angelas National School Principal Nassa Maloney said “Children are now asking their teachers to go out on the walkway every day no matter what the weather is. Marathon Kids is a perfect programme to utilise this facility, I would like to thank the parents council who have delivered this project”
Mayo Sports Partnership Head Charlie Lambert added “Promoting and supporting Active Schools is a key strategic objective of the Partnership. More and more schools such as St Angela’s Castlebar who have developed this fantastic walkway are nurturing a positive culture of daily physical activity for all children”
The programme will start 21st Feb 2022 for 8 weeks.
Within the programme, students will take part in running sessions each week inching them closer to completing their first marathon as well as learning about the benefits of physical activity.
To find out how your school can get involved, visit https://marathonkidsireland.ie/ or contact Deirdre: dedonnelly@mayococo.ie. For more information on what events Mayo Sports Partnership are running in your area and how to get involved visit –https://www.mayo.ie/sportspartnership