Target a run next Wednesday at midday in Navan
Navan Athletic Club will host the inaugural Robbie and Rita Memorial 5k Road Race from Claremont Stadium on Wednesday next 27th December at midday.
There should be a large turnout for the event that will remember two of the stalwarts of the club who were behind the development of the Claremont Stadium facility.
The Robbie Byrne Memorial Trophy will be presented to the first male finisher and the first female will be the inaugural recipient of the Rita Brady Memorial Trophy.
Registration and race headquarters at Claremont Stadium from 10am with online registration available at www.myrunresults (€15) or €20 on the day of the race.
There will be a special commerative medal for all finishers with male and female
cash prizes in all categories including first three overall, first three juniors and first two in the various age categories up to over-60 with team prizes.
There will also be a u-16 race over five laps on the track.
RITA BRADY
Rita Brady’s involvement with athletics goes back nearly 50 years to 1969 and the De La Salle Athletic Club which was attached to the local school in the town.
Her main involvement at the time was in administration – a task that she was still involved in at club and county level until her recent passing.
She was a member of Navan AC committee since the foundation of the club in 1973 and was the club’s first secretary and club chairperson on a number of occasions, Rita was the Navan delegate for many years at county, provincial and national levels.
The late Mrs Brady held a number of positions at national level, NACAI Juvenile Secretary from 1974-1978, Coaching Secretary to the National Senior NACAI boards, National NACAI secretary for 13 years (1982-1990), national President NACAI for three years (1995-1997), a member of the Board of AAI and a member of the AAI Finance Committee.
She was honoured for her contribution to athletics over the years and received an award for Woman in Sport in 1987 and in 2013 when she received an IAAF Certification for her services to athletics at club, county, provincial and national levels. In 2015 Rita was inducted in the Meath Hall of Fame for her contribution to sport in the area.
ROBBIE BYRNE
Robbie Byrne had a lifelong involvement in local athletics. His first interest in athletics was as an athlete with St Mary’s AC, Navan in the 1940s and 1950s, and then again when the club re-formed after a short break under the auspices of the De La Salle Social Club.
As the club grew in numbers independence from the De La Salle was encouraged and in October 1973 he, along with other members set up Navan Athletic Club. Robbie played a crucial role in the development of athletics in Navan, Meath and at national level.
After the opening of the stadium in 1981, he remained committed to the management of the venue.
Meath Co Board (AAI) introduced an honorary president category in 2008 for a term of one year to recognise a person who had given a lifetime of service to the sport and Robbie Byrne was the unanimous choice to hold that inaugural position.