Hurley-Hoey Memorial Run goes global

THE St Joseph’s Doora-Barefield organised Hurley-Hoey Memorial Run/Walk on Saturday, March 9, will have a worldwide dimension with similar events in eight countries, spanning six continents on the same day.
Organisers are expecting in the region of 1,500 participants to take part in the Gurteen element of the run/walk. However, sister events will be held in Centennial Park, Sydney; Albert Park, Melbourne; Hyde Park, London; Pitsford Reservoir, Northampton and in Dubai, Cape Town, New York, Madrid and Buenos Aires at times and venues to be confirmed.
Proceeds raised from all runs will be donated to St Anne’s School in Ennis and The Sunshine Children’s Ward in the Regional Hospital, Limerick.
“The international element has gone huge. If people hear about a GAA run in these regions, they’ll do it. This has come from Mary White’s contact base. Mary is the late Niall White’s mother. The international dimension has really been energised by her specifically,” organising committee chairman Lorcan Hassett explained.
Amongst those taking part in the Sydney run will be Ger Hoey’s sister, Sarah and Lorcan Hassett’s brother, Conor.
“We all have people who have emigrated. We want all people in these regions with GAA connections to participate. We can make a lot of money for charity from these international events.
“On the day of the run/walk in Gurteen, we’ll have all the participants and the international events up on the board so people can see who is competing in all of the cities. We’re delighted with this aspect of the event but we don’t want to forget about the local GAA element too,” the former St Joseph’s Doora-Barefield championship-winning captain added.
To encourage local GAA clubs to take part in the event at St Joseph’s GAA grounds in Gurteen, the club who win the team event will be presented with a full set of 30 jerseys. The top three times count, while participants must be GAA playing members for their time to be registered.
“Every club in Clare has been communicated with. We’ve contacted about 60 clubs so far and we’ve got commitments from about 80% of them to do the run,” Mr Hassett stated.
The fundraiser is a memorial event for the late Eilish Hurley and Ger Hoey, both of whom were active playing members with St Joseph’s Doora-Barefield.
Yet while the event is under the Hurley-Hoey banner, organisers intend that runners and walkers use the opportunity to take part in memory of their own loved ones. More information can be viewed on www.hurleyhoey10km.com.