PHOTOS and WATCH – Great Limerick Run 2018 to deliver a €4M economic boost to Limerick City

Pictured at the Limerick Strand Hotel for the launch of the Bon Secours Great Limerick Run 2018 were Jason Kenny, Bon Secours Hospital Limerick Manager, Caroline McGarry, Bon Secours Hospital PR Manager, and Sean Lynch, Metropolitan Mayor of Limerick. Picture: Ciara Maria Hayes/ilovelimerick.

Great Limerick Run 2018 to deliver a €4M economic boost to Limerick City

by ilovelimerick correspondent Chloe O’Keeffe

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One of Ireland’s mass participatory sporting events, The Bon Secours Hospital Great Limerick Run 2018, was launched yesterday (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 procedures at the hospital.

The organisers of the 9th annual Bon Secours Hospital Great Limerick Run 2018 expect to exceed last year’s participant numbers of 14,200, with nearly 3,000 people already signed up, availing of the early bird discount over the three race distances. Since the inaugural race in 2010, over 70,000 people have crossed the finish line raise €2.1 million for various charities whilst simultaneously contributing €25 million to local and regional businesses.

As the largest independent Irish hospital group, Bon Secours Health System is renowned for the quality of its service provision couple with a rich tradition in healthcare. The Bon Secours Health Group is a non-profitable organisation with a mission centred on providing compassionate, world-class medical treatment to all their clients. The System incorporates fiver modern hospitals in Cork, Dublin, Galway. Limerick and Tralee with over 3,000 staff, 924 beds, 410 leading consultants and approximately 280,000 patients yearly.

Bon Secours Hospital Limerick is situated on George’s Quay, with a beautiful overlook of the Abbey River. Bon Secours Hospital Limerick at Barringtons became part of the Bon Secours Health System in February of 2017. The hospital is comprised of 50 beds, 160 staff, and 75 consultants and cares for 13,000 patients annually across 20 specialties, including General Surgery, Orthopaedics, and Endoscopy.

Alongside the 70,000 race finishers is over 200,000 fans that have cheered the runners and walkers on along the various routes. All these people help create 4,500 bed nights with 100% hotel occupancy the night before the event, and an average of a 2-night stay had by people outside the Limerick region.

A Sports Social & Economic Impact report commissioned by Limerick City Council estimated the event will deliver a welcome €4.5 million boost to the local economy of Limerick City 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 Great Limerick Run, Main Organiser, and Race Director, John Cleary.

Speaking at the launch of the Great Limerick Run 2018 yesterday, 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 assignment will entice higher numbers of competitive athletes chasing personal best race times and reflects the ever-growing status of the Great Limerick Run 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 for the Great Limerick Run 2018 estimated now in excess of €4.5 million to the local economy according to the latest Council’s Sports Social & Economic impact report.

“The support and commitment of our title sponsor 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 Sports Run for Fun’ which takes place in the University of Limerick on Saturday, May 5, capacity has been extended to accommodate 3,500 children which is now the largest children’s event nationally. To date, the ‘UL Sports 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 2018 which promotes Limerick and the wider Mid-West region in a positive manner on a national and international scale. It is a very good way to promote all that’s good around Limerick, and the mid-west. 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.”

Mayor of the Metropolitan District of Limerick, Cllr. Sean Lynch was also on hand for the afternoon at the launch and spoke his enthusiasm of the event, “It’s absolutely fabulous… It’s one of the greatest show days that Limerick has ever produced. We’re catering for the kids on the Saturday with about 3,000 participating, and we expect about 13,000 participating on the Sunday in what is probably our greatest event ever. It’s great to showcase the city. The route is strategically set out. People can see that you can walk from A to B.” Cllr. Lynch has also pledged to take part in this year’s events himself.

The Great Limerick Run 2018 is proudly supported by Limerick City and County Council. Limerick Sports Partnership, LIT, UL, various media partners and an Garda Síochána.

The Great Limerick Run 2018 is the best excuse to start getting a bit more active. To date, 75,000 hours of physical activity over 570,000 miles has been generated as an immediate result of the Great Limerick Run, and a massive 49.6% of participants have said the root cause of starting exercising was for the event. For full details on how to enter the Bon Secours Hospital Great Limerick Run 2018 visit www.greatlimerickrun.com.

For more stories on the Great Limerick Run, go here.

For more information on the Great Limerick Run 2018, go here.