Braveheart run set for Trim on Friday night

Trim Athletic Club will host eighth annual Braveheart 5km race and fun-run this Friday night at the Porchfields with the off timed for 8pm.

The Porchfields will be the focus of attention for all the competitors in a race that has grown into one of the most popular events in the local running calendar since inception in 2010.

Some 650 runners competed 12 months ago with Kenyan runner Peter Somba (Dunboyne AC) and Irish cross country international Laura Shaughnessy (DSD) impressive winners of the Larry and Paul Daly Cups.

Each year the race enables Trim AC to raise funds for the club and for a designated charity. The Meath Louth Branch of Cystic Fibrosis Ireland, Trim Special Olympics Club,

Leinster River Rescue, Irish Guide Dogs, Hope Foundation, Tabor House and the Conor Foley Neuroblastoma Foundation have all benefited in the process.

The location and route of the race along the banks of the historic river Boyne takes the runners among one of the finest collections of medieval monuments in Ireland.

Each year runners and the spectators remark on this memorable visual treat.

'The friendly atmosphere and excellent post-race hospitality combined with the organisational experience of the host club enhances the experience for participants,' commented club official Ciaran Tobin.

The race has an Athletics Ireland permit and will be chip timed by Popup Races who provided the timing service for the Trim AC Bewleys 10-mile race last February.

'Since our first event in 2010 the race has enjoyed the continued generous support of sponsors including Kilsaran Home, SuperValu, Glenisk, Rentokil-Initial, OPW, Glanbia, James Griffin, Adrian Dunne Pharmacy, Aura Leisure and McNamara Feeds,' added Tobin.

'This level of participant support and commercial and community sponsorship is greatly appreciated as it enables the club to put on a top class event for runners which brings ever increasing numbers each year.

'It also helps the club provide for younger members and contribute to the wider community through our charity partnerships,' he added.

Earlier this year the Trim AC entered into a leasing agreement in relation to some council-owned lands in a partnership with local club Trim Celtic FC.

The clubs are jointly planning the provision of training facilities on a five-acre site through the Maudlins Sports Partnership.