The Great Garda Run - Paris 2008

Some say that it was an off the cuff remark, others said it was a bet but reliable sources inform me that it was a quiet afternoon in the office when a number of members of An Garda Siochana based in Dublin put the idea of running the Paris Marathon to colleagues some nine months ago. It was an idea that these members of had been pondering for some time and thought it would be good to do it with friends and raise money for charity. It was then suggested to put a few posters up in the stations around the city and see if they could gather a few more runners. With that the Great Garda Run was born.

Some 100 Gardai put their names forward for the twenty weeks of training as well as doing the 26.2 mile run on the 6th of April 2008 in Paris. It was decided that the nominated Charity would be GOAL, the aim was to raise €100,000. This money was to be used to help build ten schools in Calcutta. Each of these schools will cater for 300 young street children who would otherwise never receive any form of education and would fall into the deadly world of child prostitution and slavery.

Weekly “group runs” were organised for those competing which all will agree made the chore of building up mileage that small bit easier (small bit being the appropriate word!!). Mr. Aidan Woods, Physiotherapist for the Irish Olympic Squad also offered his services to any participants suffering from aches or pains (he was kept very busy!!!).

On Saturday the 5th of April 2008 after weeks of training 100 Gardai flew to Paris and were greeted with a champagne reception by the Irish Ambassador to France, H.E. Anne Anderson. Given how seriously the participants were taking this event, the Ambassador’s champagne collection did not run completely dry!!! On Sunday the 6th of April 2008 at 8.45am some 35,000 passed the start line in front of the Arc de Triumphe monument in Paris City centre and among them were the Irish Police Force representatives. It was easier for some than others but thankfully all finished and achieved their goal and helped raise funds for new schools in Calcutta. Indeed, due to the generosity of a number of sponsors, friends and colleagues in An Garda Siochana, the inaugural Great Garda Run raised in excess of €115,000 for GOAL.

The participants completed the 42km course in a various times, from D/Garda Ronan Hartnett in 2.46 with others bravely completing the course in 6 hours. The achievement of completing a marathon is huge regardless of time, and all those who took part spoke of the huge feeling of accomplishment on crossing the finishing line. For the majority of the 100 strong team, this indeed was their first marathon. Nobody who took part dared say that this would be their last.

The route of the Paris marathon is without doubt one of the most scenic marathons in the world, and while I wouldn’t go so far as to say the scenery took our minds off the job at hand, the sight of the Eiffel Tower and Louvre Museum helped ease the pain.

The group varied in age from twenty year olds to retired members and in rank from probationers to Superintendents, but no matter what age or rank all competitors encouraged each other during the twenty weeks of training and over the 26 mile course.

To avoid any of the participants suffering from dehydration, a reception was held for participants, their partners and friends on Monday before the crew travelled back to Dublin on Tuesday 8th April.

Due to the phenomenal success and interest in this event, it is hoped that it will take place on an annual/biennial basis with a different city been chosen each time.

The  next marathon is Barceona in March 2011. Those who competed in this years Great Garda Run have decided that the charity to benefit from the next staging of this event will be the Our Lady's Children’s Hospital, Crumlin.

For those of you who feel you missed out why not join us? If you are interested in joining us in Barcelona, March  2011, feel free to contact the organisers by email at greatgardarun@yahoo.ie 

Photos

Garda Áine Ní Chathain presents a souvenir to Ambassador
Anderson.

The Great Garda Run group at the Embassy.

Enjoying a rest before the race.

The Ambassador with some of the marathon participants.

Photographs courtesy of the Department of Foreign Affairs

 

 

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Email  greatgardarun@yahoo.ie