Big turnout as ‘Fun Run’ boosts both Buccaneers and St Hilda’s
There was a super turnout for the ‘Fun Run’ organised by Buccaneers Rugby Football Club on New Year’s Day. Blessed with glorious sunshine on a gorgeous crisp start to 2025, the third staging of this event saw a sizeable increase in participants at the starting line at Athlone’s Regional Sports Centre.
With the funds generated being shared equally between the club and St Hilda’s Services, both organisations were also winners as they received a welcome financial boost from the generosity of all the participants.
Many attended simply to support one or both organisations as they walked, jogged or raced the 5K at the well-presented venue.
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Kevin Moore (right), men’s winner of the New Year’s Day Fun Run, pictured with Buccaneers Vice-President Eoin Reid and runner-up Finlay Carthy (on left).Image 2 of 4
Kevin Moore on the way to winning the Buccaneers RFC and St Hilda’s New Year’s Day Fun Run at the Athlone Regional Sports Centre.Image 3 of 4
Runners participating in the Buccaneers RFC and St Hilda’s New Year’s Day Fun Run.Image 4 of 4
Young Finlay Carthy, who finished second in the Buccaneers RFC and St Hilda’s New Year’s Day Fun Run.Tipperary native Kevin Moore, who won the original ‘Fun Run’ (which circled around Coosan in 2023), set a hot pace from the off that could not be matched as he came home an impressive clear winner.
Promising young teenager Finlay Carthy held off the challenge of veteran Eddie Lynch to take second place in the men's section. Meanwhile, Anna Marie O’Dowd and Emer Gaffey battled all the way in the women's section, with the former proving that bit stronger than her Athlone AC clubmate.
Buccaneers RFC Senior Vice-President Eoin Reid presented the winners with their prizes. He gratefully acknowledged the bumper number of participants and thanked Athlone Regional Sports Centre for permission to use their impressive facility. He also acknowledged all the volunteers who helped ensure that the ‘Fun Run’ was such a success. It certainly already looks a firmly established event to start the year!