Dublin football star Jason Sherlock has signed up with the Hospice Harriers to take part in the Great Ireland Run on Sunday 18^th April in the Phoenix Park. Jason met up with some of his new team mates yesterday to raise funds for Our Lady’s Hospice, Harold’s Cross one of the Run’s two nominated charities.

Online entries are continuing to pour in through www.greatirelandrun.org and a striking feature of the entries so far is that unlike previous years women are outnumbering men.

Tourism in Dublin city looks like being a winner as runners bring families and friends to cheer them on. With in excess of 4,000 entries already, 23% are from the UK and runners are also coming to Dublin from at least 11 other countries including the USA, Germany, Sweden, Poland, New Zealand and France.

Last year there were 10,000 participants and up to 12,000 runners of all abilities are expected to compete this year. The Run is the largest mixed 10km race in Ireland and is preceded by a Junior Run for children between the ages of 8 and 15.

Last month the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), the world governing body of athletics conferred an IAAF Road Race Label on the Great Ireland Run, in recognition of the event’s high standard of organisation, elite participation and media profile. This is the first time an Irish event has been recognised in this way by the IAAF.

Participants are being encouraged to raise funds for good causes and the event’s nominated charities are Our Lady’s Hospice and the Marie Keating Foundation. Barretstown and Temple Street Children’s Hospital are the nominated charities for the Junior Run.

Prospective runners can enter online at www.greatirelandrun.org or by calling the Great Ireland Run Hotline on 1890 930 139.

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