County Limerick schools getting active

CONNOLLY, Ireland - April 19, 2013 - PRLog -- Sports Partnership staff have organised 7-km cycles, Health and Nutrition talks and Fun Running activities for students in participating national schools which include  Herbertstown, Castleconnell, Bruff, Abbeyfeale, Monaleen and Hospital.

The initiative takes place in advance of National Active Schools Week later this month, Bike Week in June and Barrington’s Hospital Great Limerick Run “Kids Run for Fun” on May 4th, which is being billed as Ireland’s largest mass participation event for children under 12 years.

According to Phelim Macken, Coordinator with the County Limerick Local Sports Partnership: “The purpose of the primary school programme is to encourage children to adopt healthier eating habits and to increase their physical activity, while having fun doing it.”

He added: “The Principals and staff of the participating schools are to be commended for ensuring that their pupils are afforded opportunities to receive advice on healthy eating and engage in physical activity to ensure a more balanced lifestyle. Anyone interested in discovering more about the programme or if your school would like to take part please contact the Sports Partnership on 061 496428 or email me at pmacken@limerickcoco.ie.”

Mr. Macken said he hoped that many of the estimated 600 students participating in the programme will also take part in the upcoming Barrington’s Hospital Great Limerick Run “Kids Run for Fun”. More than 1,500 children aged 4 to 12 years of age are expected to participate in the event at the University of Limerick on Saturday 4th May 2013, the day before the annual Barringtons Hospital Great Limerick Run. The Run will feature a 1Km Wheelchair Track (4-12 years), 1Km Grass track (4-7 years) and 2 miles Trail (8-12 years).  

Registrations for the not-for-profit Kids Run for Fun on Saturday 4th May 2013 can be made on www.greatlimerickrun.com/about/kids. Information around training plans is also available on the event website.

-ENDS-

CONTACT:
-    Interview: Phelim Macken, County Limerick Local Sports Partnership (087-2079172)
-    Further info: Mark Dunphy, Dunphy Public Relations (086-8534900)