Family fun run to raise awareness for Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus
By Aideen O'Flaherty
A FAMILY fun run will be held in Clondalkin’s Corkagh Park on Saturday (June 30) in aid of Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Ireland (SBHI), after the organiser saw the impact the condition had when his friend’s daughter was born with it, reports Aideen O’Flaherty.
Jobstown man Stephen Martin (35), who runs Marathon Man to Ironman, who are the organisers of the fun run, said he realised the importance of raising awareness of spina bifida after his friend Anthony Keogh’s daughter Hannah (2), from Ballycragh in Tallaght, was born with the condition.
Stephen Martin with his daughter Libby (left) and Hannah Keogh (right) from Ballycragh was born with the condition
Spina bifida is the result of incomplete spinal development in the womb, and the condition can cause incontinence, mobility issues, pressure sores and social challenges in those affected.
Stephen, who has raised money for charity over the years through his participation in marathons and iron man challenges, decided that a fun run would be the perfect vehicle to raise funds for and awareness of spina bifida.
Stephen told The Echo: “I hope it helps Spina Bifida Ireland in what they want to do and helps to raise awareness of the condition too.”
The father-of-three added: “The fun run is for anyone, whether they’re serious about running or if they want to go for a stroll and have a bit of fun.
“If it goes well on Saturday we hope to do it every year and help to raise money for charity.”
The Marathon Man to Ironman Corkagh Park Family Fun Run will give participants the option of either doing a 2.5k or a 5k circuit of the park, and there will be chip timing for all runners.
Everyone who completes the run will get a medal, and children will get goodie bags.
Entry is €20 for an adult, €5 for a child, or you can pay for a family entry of two adults and two children for €30, and you can register in advance at www.popupraces.ie or register on the day ahead of the race, which begins at 11am.
