Run 2 Brussels 4 Mark - Blackrock Athletic Club

2,884kms
Distance Covered
400+
Athletes
One Club
www.BlackrockAC.ie
Run 2 Brussels 4 Mark
We had an unbelievable turnout on Sunday 10 May for our Fun Run breaking every record
in the book – incredible number of athletes lapping the park – collectively we ran to
Brussels and home again, and back again in less than 2 hours! … a whopping 2,884 kms
or almost treble our target!!! Gwaarrrn BLACKROCK!!!
Congratulations One and All
The sense of community was at an all-time high in Carysfort Park – it is unlike anything
that we have seen in our 75 years of running. Everyone and all sections of the club,
school, locale and friends & family from near and afar jumped straight in to either clock
up the miles or feed the troops in their collective endeavour!
Sponsors and Supporters
We are indebted to all the support and assistance on the day in surpassing our goal. All
age groups were fired up to log as many miles as they could – unplanned we were a bit
slower logging the distances hence the large over-run! We are especially grateful to our
lead sponsor SuperValu Blackrock and all of our Corporate and Private supporters
including:
Sponsors:
SuperValu Blackrock; Atlantic Projects Company; CPL Resources; Bryan S Ryan; Canon; Casey O’Rourke
Associates; Emydex Technology; First Stop; Frank Keane Blackrock; KBC Bank; Kyocera; Kennedy
Fitzgerald Solicitors Galway; Galway Judo Club; Transaction Network Services (Ireland) Limited
A HUGE THANK YOU … from Joan, Frank, Isabel & Mark
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Our corporate sponsors- SuperValu Blackrock, Atlantic Projects Company, Bryan S
Ryan, Canon, Casey O'Rourke Associates, CPL Resources, Emydex Technology, First
Stop, Frank Keane BMW Blackrock, KBC Bank, Kyrocera, Kennedy Fitzgerald Solicitors
of Galway; Galway Judo Club; and Transaction Network Services (Ireland) Limited;
All the wonderful children from Blackrock A.C. and Carysfort NS for their fundraising,
enthusiasm and energy which clearly knows no bounds;
The amazing team from Blackrock A.C. who organised this extraordinary event Fionnuala Cheung, Gerry Cheung, Peter Cosgrove, Nigel Cowman, Dermot Jackson,
Gerry Flaherty, Claire McGoldrick, Eileen Murphy, Maria Patterson, Barry Thornton and
Paul Walshe who have been instrumental in bringing it all together. It is a testament
to their talent and to that of all the coaches and helpers that everything ran so
smoothly;
Our sincere gratitude to our Club President Tom Kelly who has been a great support to
our family and a great friend to Mark;
Helen Shafe for the amazing job she did with the artwork for the sponsorship cards;
The countless volunteers who worked tirelessly and created such a wonderful
atmosphere during the day keeping all the runners and walkers replenished and to all
those who supplied refreshments;
All those who gave their time working hard in the 'office' keeping record of our progress
towards the 977km target. Over 2,800 kms were clocked up so nice to know we got to
Brussels and back again and all in 2 hours!;
Paul O'Brien for his splendid photographs – see if you can spot yourself:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/blackrockac/ ;
Club mates, friends, family, neighbours and those in the wider community both known
and unknown who have supported us. A special word of thanks to the Slyne family who
have welcomed Isabel into their home and taken such good care of her when Mark is
away having treatment and for the many offers from others to do the same;
Mark's good friends from Blackrock A.C. and Carysfort NS who have been so loyal and
supportive. Their regular visits and enduring effort to keep in touch means more than
we can ever say and has been so important and invaluable in keeping his spirits up
and ensuring despite more than two long years of illness he is not isolated;
The principal and teachers of Carysfort NS, Norma Linehan, Ava Cooper, Marie
O'Doherty and Laura Stakelum who participated on Sunday and who have provided
Mark with wonderful tuition and support over the last two years and to the ever present
Carysfort NS Parents Association to which we all owe so much;
The day was a unique and incredibly special day in our family's life and we have been
overwhelmed by the tremendous support we have received from so many quarters. Mark
enjoyed every moment and it was wonderful for him to see that so many people care. It
is testimony to the tremendous community spirit which exists in Blackrock which we are
privileged to be a part of.
Our heartfelt thanks and appreciation goes to each and every one of you.
Joan, Frank, Isabel and Mark O’Brien
Sponsors:
SuperValu Blackrock; Atlantic Projects Company; CPL Resources; Bryan S Ryan; Canon; Casey O’Rourke
Associates; Emydex Technology; First Stop; Frank Keane Blackrock; KBC Bank; Kyocera; Kennedy
Fitzgerald Solicitors Galway; Galway Judo Club; Transaction Network Services (Ireland) Limited