12 Runs of Christmas

Put your 12 Pubs of Christmas on ice...

Here's 12 Runs of Christmas to keep you in shape in the lead up to the festive period, and leave you feeling like a present that begs to be unwrapped :) Not only will you feel good, and have an absolute bauble while doing it, but it is of course the season of giving, and through your support of these events, you'll be contributing to many good charitable and sporting causes all around the country.

HOW MANY CAN YOU TICK OFF THE LIST?

(1) 1 DECEMBER: JINGLE BELLS 5K

This year is the 28th running of the well-established 5K and family run organised by Donore Harriers, taking place in the Phoenix Park in Dublin. It starts at 11 am and is open to athletes, fun runners, joggers and walkers. A race mug is given to adult finishers and a race medal to under 16's. Individual category prizes and team prizes are provided for Athletics Ireland registered clubs.

(2) 2 DECEMBER: SANTA DASH - A 5K and 10K road race on the beach of North Bull Island, Clontarf, Dublin with free Santa suits, medals, a Santa igloo and tea & snacks afterwards. Any children who officially entered and run the race can also visit Santa and get a free Christmas present. The run will take place on the beach on North Bull Island at 12 pm on Sunday the 2nd December.

(3) 2 DECEMBER: ST JOHN'S FC TURKEY TROT 5K - This Christmas 5K road race and 2k fun run takes place in Doorly Park, Riverside, Sligo on Sunday 2nd December at 1:30 pm. This 5K race/fun run has no watches, Garmins, phones, etc allowed for timing. When you register you include your predicted finish time. The top 3 runners/joggers whose finish time is closest to their predictive time win a prize. This means the participant whose finishes 31st has as much chance as winning as the person who finishes 1st. Santa hats and suits are encouraged! All funds raised will go towards the running, maintenance and new equipment for St. John’s FC underage teams.

(4) 8 DECEMBER: CLONAKILTY MARATHON = You can choose from Full Marathon, Half Marathon or a 10K in the wonderful town of Clonakilty, Co. Cork. The events will be held on Saturday 8 December 2018 and and start at 9 am. The start and finish lines are both at the Clonakilty Park Hotel. This race offers stunning views of West Cork while you run. Something not to be missed on a beautiful December day!

(5) 8 DECEMBER: AWARE CHRISTMAS RUN - A 5K and 10K road race in the Phoenix Park, Dublin. This run now attracts over 2,000 people and it’s getting bigger each year. You can get into the Christmas spirit with friends, colleagues or family and Santa hats, elf costumes and Christmas jumpers are all welcome. This is a great race to raise money (through participation, sponsorship or donations) for Aware’s nationwide free-of-charge services for people who experience depression or bipolar disorder.

(6) 8 DECEMBER: 12K's OF CHRISTMAS - A 12K and 6K road race in Kildare organised by Kildare Town Running & Tri Club on the 8th of December at 10 am. There will also be a 6K option .There will be prizes for 1st ,2nd, 3rd in both male and female categories. The run will be chip timed by Pop-up Races. Hot chocolate and marshmallows will be served after the race. There may even be a special visit from Santa Claus if he is not too busy!

(7) 8 DECEMBER: BALLYROAN SANTA FUN RUN - The Ballyroan 10 Mile is back for another year! It includes a 10 mile race and 5K Santa fun run. The 10 mile race will be run along a scenic meandering route, in lovely Laois. The race will start in Ballyroan, and head towards the heritage town of Abbeyleix. The 5K course starts at 11.45 am and 10 mile course starts at 12.00 pm. The course is a two lap course allows spectators plenty of opportunity to cheer you on with plenty of refreshments once you cross the finish line!

(8) 9 DECEMBER: DEEN CELTIC SANTA RUN - Join the Deen Celtic A.F.C on Sunday 9th December for their very first Santa run. Distances include a 10K/5K run and a 5K family walk/run. All money raised is going towards the re-development of their all-weather pitch for our school boys and girls teams and the development of a walking/running facility around the perimeter of the club. There will be a medal and Santa hat for all entrants. Refreshments after the event in club house. For anyone who can’t join us in person you can also join their virtual run option. If you prove you ran your 5/10K by sending a picture of your watch/phone details to Deen Celtic’s Facebook page and you too can receive a medal for participating. On the day registration and number collection will start at 8:30 am in Deen Celtic Club House, and the event starts at 11 am sharp.

(9) 16 DECEMBER: WICKLOW SANTA DASH - Join the Wicklow Santa Dash at Jack Whites, Co. Wicklow on Sunday 16th December 2018 to help raise vital funds in aid of our Lady’s Children’s hospital, Crumlin. There will be a 5K and 10K road race/fun run. Registration starts at 9 am at Jack Whites, and the event starts at 11 am sharp. There will be a medal for all entrants. There will also be refreshments after the event. It’s a day for the family with face painting, a puppet show and a kids dash. In 2017, the Wicklow Santa dash raised €7,680 for Crumlin Children's Hospital, the organisers' Jack White's 5K/10K raised €6,900. and their Superhero Wicklow 5K/10K raised €10,400. This year they hope to raise over €40,000 for Crumlin - an amazing achievement.

(10) 16 DECEMBER: NEWMARKET CHRISTMAS CLASSIC - This 5K road Race in Newmarket, Co. Cork is a classic 5K road race. This Athletics Ireland registered event, organised and hosted by Dunhallow AC, starts at 1 pm on Sunday December 16. Entries, prize-giving and refreshments will he held at the Hi-Land lounge, Newmarket, Co. Cork. Touted as one of the fastest 5K's in Ireland it promised to be a great race for a PB.

(11) 26 DECEMBER: PIETA HOUSE WREN RUN - 3K and 6K Run fun run in Woodford, South East Galway at 11 am on St. Stephen’s Day. Suitable for all ages and abilities the route includes a 3K and a 6K route. The scenery is untouched and is worth the entry fee alone. The event is pet friendly (must be on a lead) and buggy friendly! There is a Christmas DJ, teas & coffees available in the people only zone both before and after the event. Everyone that registers for the Pieta House Wren Run will be entered into a Monster Charity Raffle including Dinner at Neven Maguires and a consultation with Architect Dermot Bannon along with many more prizes.

In 2017, the Pieta House Wren run raised €4,500 for Pieta House and €3,000 for the the local GAA club Tommy Larkins to assist with the installation of night time lighting around their walking track. Post event there will be a traditional music session across 4 venues in the village called the Wren Rising a free traditional music event. This year in addition to supporting Pieta House and Tommy Larkins GAA, the run will also be supporting Davitts Camogie Club who will use any proceeds raised to develop their facilities to keep girls in sport, particularly ages 17-25, where they have experienced huge dropout rates in recent years.

(12) 27 DECEMBER: FAT TURKEY RUN - A 10K Road Race in Sutton, Co. Dublin. The Run will start outside St Fintan's Church at 11.00 am. Registration will be in Suttonians RFC from 9.30 am. The Fat Turkey 10K event is to support Suttonians Rugby Football Club and the IRFU Charitable Trust (Irish Rugby Football Union Charitable Trust was formed in 1978 to assist severely injured rugby players in their everyday lives, and help to restore their confidence and independence). The scenic route is a challenging 10K course, commencing at St Fintan's Church. After the race there will changing facilities, tea/coffee, biscuits and full bar will be available along with prize giving at Suttonians RFC.

Wishing you lots of happy festive running in the lead up to Christmas.

The Join The Dots Coaching Team

#christmas #running #5k #10K #charity