MEDIA RELEASE MONDAY 29TH JANUARY 2018
One of Ireland’s largest mass participatory sporting events, The Bon Secours Hospital Great Limerick Run, was launched in Limerick today (Monday) by Mayor of the Limerick Metropolitan Council, Cllr. Sean Lynch. Speaking at the launch Mayor Lynch wished Bon Secours Hospital Group every success as new title sponsor while also acknowledging their exciting development plans to expand the range of medical services at the hospital.
The organisers of the 9th annual Bon Secours Hospital Great Limerick Run expect to exceed last year’s participant numbers of 14,200. Based on the current increased level of early registrations that have taken place with nearly 3,000 people have already availed of early bird discounted race entries over the three race distances.
A Sport Social & Economic Impact report commissioned by Limerick City Council conducted by W2 Consulting, estimated the event will deliver a welcome €4.5 million boost to the local economy over the course of the May bank holiday weekend.
The run is now the largest mass participatory event outside of Dublin and the only annual ‘Tier One’ event in the Mid-West region.
Speaking at the launch of the 2018 event today, Race Director, John Cleary welcomed the Bon Secours Group as the new title sponsor and also confirmed that the Munster Athletics Council have again designated both the Marathon and Half Marathon as their official Munster championship races. This designation which will entice higher numbers of competitive athletes chasing personal best race times is a reflection on the growing status of the BSHGLR as a premier running event.
“I also wish to acknowledge the huge levels of support from the people of Limerick and beyond who have demonstrated in numbers both participating and watching year on year that the Bon Secours Hospital Great Limerick Run is now a firm favourite on the Irish sporting calendar,” he said.
“The public private partnership model has allowed us as race organisers to deliver a world class event to Limerick with an economic value in 2018 estimated now in excess of €4.5 million to the local economy according to the latest Council’s Sport Social & Economic impact report.
The support and commitment of our title sponsors Bon Secours Hospital Group together with Limerick City & County Council and other commercial and statutory sponsors reflects the confidence that all stakeholders and partners have in the future growth potential of the event.”
In anticipation of the increased demand for places in the children’s ‘UL Sport Run for Fun’ which takes place in the University of Limerick on Saturday May 5th, capacity has been extended to accommodate 3,500 children which is now the largest children’s event nationally. To date the ‘UL Sport Run for Fun’ has raised over €85,000 for those primary schools with participating children.
On behalf of Bon Secours Hospital Limerick at Barringtons, Hospital Manager, Jason Kenny said:
“We are proud sponsors of the Bon Secours Great Limerick Run which promotes Limerick and the wider Mid-West region in a positive manner on a national and international scale. We have worked closely with the BSHGLR team as the new title sponsors on many aspects of the event to ensure that all those participating and visiting Limerick have a memorable and enjoyable race weekend experience. As the largest private employer in the historic Kings Island area of Limerick we have ambitious plans to develop further our medical and health services to the wider public throughout the region and deliver Advanced Medicine and Exceptional Care to the people of Limerick. Bon Secours Hospital Great Limerick Run will help us in building increased awareness of our existing and planned facilities”.
ENDS
Contact: John Cleary 0873202408
Notes to the Editor
From the inaugural race in 2010, over 70,000 people have crossed the finish line raising €2.1 million for various charities while simultaneously contributing €25 million to local and regional business.
Interesting statistics on the Bon Secours Hospital Great Limerick Run to date include:
Over 200,000 people have cheered runners and walkers along the race routes.
On average 4,500 bed nights are created with 100% hotel occupancy on the night before the event with the average length of stay by those outside the region = 2 nights
75,000 hours of physical activity is generated as a direct result of the Barrington's Hospital Great Limerick Run
49.6% of participants claim the event was the main reason why they started exercising.
91.1% rated the event as having a high impact on Limerick as an event hosting destination
375,000 bottles of water have been used by participants in the last five years.
An estimated 570,000 miles have been completed by participants since the inaugural event in May 2010
*Bon Secours Hospital Great Limerick Run figures*
For full details on how to enter the Bon Secours Hospital Great Limerick Run please visit www.greatlimerickrun.com; Follow us on Twitter @BSHGLimerickRun or Like us on Facebook
Some of the extensive list of 2018 Nominated Charities Include
- Irish Cancer Society
- Focus Ireland
- Milford Hospice
- Pieta House
- Live95fm Stop Tour & Cari
- Childrens Ark University Hospital Limerick
