This article is from page 50 of the 2012-05-15 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 50 JPG
HUNDREDS of walking enthusiasts from all over Ireland will descend on Ballyvaughan this Saturday for the fifth ever Clare Burren Marathon Challenge.
The walking marathon, which has quickly established itself as one of Ireland’s premier walking events, could raise as much as € 300,000 for the local economy, with scores of people expected to stay in the Burren area for the weekend.
The marathon, which is organised by the Ballyvaughan/Fanore Walking Club, will this year take place on Saturday, May 26, and will coincide with a host of events taking place as part of the Burren in Bloom Festival.
“The marathon has been a great success, not just for Ballyvaughan but for the whole area. Taking place in May, it is a great chance to see the Burren as it is just getting into full bloom and it has definitely been a great boost to the tourism businesses here over the years,” said Geraldine Linnane of the Ballyvaughan Tourist Information Point.
“It is a great way of introducing people to the Burren. The walk takes people to parts of the Burren that a lot of people just wouldn’t see otherwise. A lot of people would see the Burren from the back of a tour bus and this gives them a totally different experience of the place.
“I would say that a lot of people who get a taste for the area during the walk come back at other times. The local tourism businesses certainly get a big boost out of it.”
This year’s event will feature three courses – the full marathon, the halfmarathon and the mini-marathon. The routes take participants both on and off roads, into some of the most breathtaking Burren terrain.
The event is made possible with the kind permission of the local landowners, Clare Sports Partnership, Logues Lodge in Ballyvaughan and the Burren in Bloom Festival.
Full details of this year’s event, including entry options and a training schedule, are now available on www. clareburrenmarathonchallenge.com or by calling 087 7779714. TO CELEBRATE volunteers and the great community spirit alive throughout the county, the Clare Volunteer Centre is launching its first poetry competition. Anyone over the age of 8 is invited to submit a poem, no longer than eight lines, on the theme ‘together we can make a difference’. Sharon Meaney, Manager with the Clare Volunteer Centre, explained
where the idea for the competition came from.
“Part of our role in the Clare Volunteer Centre is to promote the important role that volunteers play in all our communities.
“We are asking people to really think about the ways in which volunteers contribute to our communities and to the people who live within those communities.
“The theme ‘together we can make a difference’ is a recurring theme we use in the Clare Volunteer Centre as we witness, on a daily basis, how volunteers are affecting change through individual action.”
Supported by Clare County Council and Clare Local Development Company, application forms can be obtained from any of the local libraries around the county or by contacting Clare Volunteer Centre.
Dolores O Halloran, Volunteer Placement Officer, with the Clare Volunteer Centre, gave an insight into how the competition will run. “We are asking people to submit their poem, along with an application form by midnight on June 11. The winner will be announced on July 2 and we plan to do something a little different with the winning poem.
“The overall prize is an Apple iPad, which was kindly sponsored by Action Point Technology Group. The 10 runners-up will receive a € 50 voucher, sponsored by local businesses.”
Sharon Meaney added, “There are three categories Junior (8-12), Young (13 – 17) and Adult 18-plus. We encourage schools and clubs to get involved and spread the message – together we can make a difference.”
Contact the Clare Volunteer Centre on 065 68 66 800 or visit their website www.volunteerclare.ie to obtain an application form.