Claremont toes the line

The new running track at Claremont Stadium is shaping up with the lines now completed this week and a provisional plan for an official opening of the impressive facility in September.

The new vivid blue running surface is proving a major attraction at the moment with lots of people turning up to see the new track.

The refurbished facility is an Olympic standard eight-lane 400-metre running track and it replaced the surface that was there since 2000.

Claremont Stadium is a joint initiative between Navan Athletic Club and Parkvilla FC and is a widely used sporting facility.

Navan AC will be aiming to host major events such as Leinster and National Championships in the future.

"The eight-lane track was opened 20 years ago and the normal life span is 10 to 12 years, so it was well worn and needed to be fully replaced," commented Navan AC chairperson Mary Watters.

"The markings had to be specially done in order for the track to receive certification from the world athletic governing body, the IAAF.

"There was a lot of local fundraising for the new track and it is still ongoing, we are so grateful for the support we received.

"Funding of €180, 000 was secured for the project under the Sports Capital Programme and we also had support from Meath Local Sports Partnership.

"We had to raise the final €50,000 and we are concentrating on that part of the project as well," she added.