GOAL Mile: Get your Christmas off to a charitable start
PEOPLE around the county are preparing to pound the pavement for the annual GOAL Mile Run, which is taking place at local running clubs and parks on Christmas morning and St Stephen’s Day.
Tallaght Athletic Club recently launched their GOAL Mile Run with Alan Vard, a senior development manager with GOAL, in recognition of the club’s 20-year involvement with the charitable initiative.
Tallaght AC will host the Tallaght GOAL Mile Run at their running track on the Greenhills Road from 9.30am to 12.30pm on Christmas morning.
John Cullen from Tallaght AC told The Echo: “Every cent collected will go to help GOAL in the fight against poverty in the third world.
“At the moment, GOAL have over 3,000 people working in 14 countries including Ethiopia, Uganda, Syria, Sudan, Sierra Leone and Gaza.
“Last year, €8,250 was donated by the people of Tallaght and surrounding areas which brings the total collected over the past 19 years to over €125,000.”
When asked how people can get involved, John said: “There is no need to register, just turn up anytime between 9.30 and 12.30 and run or walk a mile on the track and donate whatever you wish in the buckets at the finish line.
“Once again, this year our neighbours Shamrock Rovers have come on board to support the event and we will have the League of Ireland trophy on display on Christmas morning.
“Plus, some of the players have indicated that they will attend, so it will be an ideal photo opportunity.”
Timing clocks will be in place and certificates are available for participants who wish to record their times, while tea and coffee will be provided upstairs in the clubhouse afterwards.
“This is very much a fun event, open to all ages, so do come along and support some of the poorest people on the planet.”
Lucan Harriers Athletic Club will be playing host to a GOAL Mile Run at their running track on Christmas morning from 10am to 12 noon.
A GOAL Mile Run is also being held in Eamonn Ceannt Park in Crumlin from 10.30am to 12 noon on Christmas Day.
There will also be one at the Cherryfield pitch opposite Ballyboden St Enda’s in Knocklyon on Christmas morning from 10am to 11.30am.
On St Stephen’s Day, there will be GOAL Mile Runs at 12 noon at the car park in Corkagh Park, at Terenure College from 11am to 1pm, and Brickfields Park in Drimnagh from 12 midday to 2pm.
Other GOAL Mile Runs being held on St Stephen’s Day will take place in Marlay Park in Rathfarnham from 11am to 1pm, and Richmond Park Stadium in Inchicore from 11am to 1pm.
