The 2011 Bogrotters Marathon 23rd July

Have you got the running buzz yet? Well plenty of people have as Roscommon’s only full marathon event The Bogtrotters Marathon on 23rd July is booking up. Participants hale from as far afield as the USA and Germany and there is a good smattering from all over Ireland as well as a strong local contingent. 

The course is flat/undulating with a few sneaky hills, is largely on tarmacked roads and bog/farm tracks and has been measured and approved by the Athletics Association of Ireland. There are mile markers every mile, water stations every three miles and a couple of jelly baby stations at key points - jelly babies were voted the snack of choice at marathon stations in 2010 by facebook fans of The Bogtrotters Marathon.

The race starts in Strokestown Park House at 10 am. Registration is online here or by post with downloadable form. There will also be limited registration the evening before the race at 6-7 pm in the Percy French Hotel, Strokestown and on the morning of the race from 8.30-9.30 am in Strokestown Park but numbers are capped. This year there are no large cash prizes for the winners; instead the entry fee was reduced and everyone who crosses the finish line gets a bespoke medal, technical t-shirt and goody bag. The day includes a pre-race yoga warm-up session, post-race massage & chiropractic care, concessionary entry to Strokestown Park House, walled garden and Famine Museum. Entertainment over the weekend includes The Bogtrotters Warm-up in Hanly’s Bar, Strokestown on Friday 22nd and The Bogtrotters Bash on the Saturday night in the Percy French Hotel. On the Sunday there is a free guided tour of Slieve Bawn at 12 noon, starting from the Percy French Hotel.

For onlookers and for those who are supporting participants there will be lots to do. A Family 1k Fun Run is being organized by Roscommon Sports Partnership at 3 pm in Strokestown Park, with bouncy castles and an obstacle course (pay as you go) on in the afternoon too. A seminar programme on healthy exercise and living will run from 11am and there are expert speakers on nutrition, on getting ready for exercise, motivation, yoga for athletes etc. All the lectures are free. A full programme is available on the website.

The charity partner is Bothar but people can also fundraise for a charity of their choice like Eric Kelly from Strokestown who is attempting the full marathon on behalf of the Irish Cancer Society.

People are asked to come and cheer the participants on the day, whether at the start/finish or along the route. The roads will be closed and any local traffic is asked to exercise extreme caution. Maps of the route are available to consult in Centra in Rooskey and Spar in Strokestown.  Further information on 087-2538753 or by clicking here.