Get ready to Run for Rita this month in Tymon Park
By Aideen O'Flaherty
A 5K RUNNING and walking event in memory of a Tallaght mother will take place in Tymon Park on Saturday, March 24, at 3pm, in order to raise funds for Suzanne House, a community respite service for children with high medical needs, which is located in Tallaght Village.
The annual Run for Rita event, which is now in its fifth year, is held in memory of Kilnamanagh woman Rita Savage, who passed away from breast cancer in 2008.
Runners competing at the Run for Rita in 2016
The event started as a “one off” event in 2014 but has grown each year thanks to the support of the local community.
Rita’s daughter Glenda, who has organised Run for Rita from the beginning, told The Echo: “It’s mad. I started it five years ago, and I was only planning to do it for just one year, but it snowballed and the community has really gotten behind it.
“I do be flabbergasted that people still want to do it!
“It’s a nice community and family day, which is what I wanted it to be, instead of a high-profile race.”
In recent years Run for Rita has fundraised for a number of local charities and groups, including the Tallaght Cancer Support Group and the Kilnamanagh Community First Responders, and this year all proceeds from the event will go to Suzanne House.
Explaining why this charity was picked, Glenda said: “The niece of a friend of mine attends there, and I heard about Suzanne House from her.
“I went up to Suzanne House and met the people there, and thought it was a really nice place, and I realised that they needed funding.”
Glenda said that over the years each run has raised between €6,000 and €10,000, and that she hopes to reach her €6,000 target this year to help the children who go to Suzanne House.
Glenda added: “The local community has really gotten on board, and it’s nice to keep the run going in my mam’s memory.”
Run for Rita takes place in Tymon Park on Saturday, March 24 at 3pm, and you can register via www.popupraces.ie, or by contacting Glenda on 087 958 3714, or you can register on the day.
Entry is priced at €20 for adults, €10 for under 16s, and a family rate of €50 (two adults and up to four children), refreshments will be served in Kilnamanagh Community Centre following the race.
Donations can be made here: http://sjogfoundation.ie/donate/
