Young Wicklow runners meet Olympian David Gillick on Marathon Kids programme
Freya Buckley, Mary Fitzpatrick and Olivia Rajek from Scoil Naomh Iosaf, Baltinglass at the Marathon Kids Run in Ballymore Eustace GAA. Photo: Michael Kelly
Students from Gaelscoil na Lochanna at the Marathon Kids Run in Ballymore Eustace GAA with Deputy CEO of Wicklow County Council Michael Nicholson, Aisling Hubbard, Co-ordinator with the Wicklow Sports & Recreation Partnership and Olympian David Gillick. Photo: Michael Kelly
Jessica O'Connor, Ayla Lowe and Lily Lawless from St. Laurence O'Toole's NS, Roundwood at the Marathon Kids Run in Ballymore Eustace GAA. Photo: Michael Kelly
Olympian David Gillick takes a selfie at the Marathon Kids Run in Ballymore Eustace GAA. Photo: Michael Kelly
Ava Hannigan and Mary Brett Kelly from Donard NS at the Marathon Kids Run in Ballymore Eustace GAA. Photo: Michael Kelly
Grace Whelan from Blessington No.1 School at the Marathon Kids Run in Ballymore Eustace GAA. Photo: Michael Kelly
Matilda Ayton from Donard NS with Olympian David Gillick at the Marathon Kids Run in Ballymore Eustace GAA. Photo: Michael Kelly
5th Class students from ?St. Mary's SNS, Blessington with Deputy CEO of Wicklow County Council Michael Nicholson, Aisling Hubbard, Co-ordinator with the Wicklow Sports & Recreation Partnership and Olympian David Gillick at the Marathon Kids Run in Ballymore Eustace GAA. Photo: Michael Kelly
Close to 500 primary school pupils from west Wicklow gathered at the Ballymore Eustace GAA running track to mark the halfway point of the Marathon Kids programme with Olympic athlete David Gillick.
Each of the children are running four training sessions per week, for eight weeks, until they have reached their marathon goal of 42.2 kilometres.
The pupils involved are from Donard NS, St. Mary’s SNS Blessington, Scoil Naomh Iosaf Baltinglass, Scoil Nioclais Naofa Dunlavin, Jonathan Swift NS, St. Laurence O’Toole NS, Gaelscoil ns Lochanna and Blessington No.1 School.
Celebrating the halfway point, they got to meet David, who competed at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in the 400 metres and 4x400 metres relay. He led the children through a dynamic session of exercises and stretches, and provided a significant boost to the young runners, reinforcing the importance of physical activity.
Speaking at the event, he said: “My own passion for running was sparked by the encouragement I received from my primary school teacher.
“I hope today’s event inspires these kids to keep up their running and to remain active throughout their lives.”
Praising the initiative, Cllr Aoife Flynn-Kennedy, Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, said: “The Marathon Kids event is more than just a running programme; it’s a foundation for lifelong fitness and health awareness.
“Initiatives like these are crucial in instilling the values of physical health and perseverance in our children.”
Emer O’Gorman, Chief Executive, Wicklow County Council, said: “It’s important that we encourage our young people to get involved in physical activity and develop a healthy lifestyle. Events like Marathon Kids are a great way to do this, and I’m delighted to see so many young people taking part in Wicklow.”
Aisling Hubbard, Coordinator at Wicklow Sports and Recreation Partnership, stated: “This is our second year running the Marathon Kids programme. Reaching the halfway point is a major milestone for these young runners.
“The Marathon Kids programme not only teaches them about the benefits of physical activity but also builds their confidence and determination. We would like to thank all the teachers for their support and all of the volunteers that made today possible.”
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