Over 300 Defence Forces members from the Eastern Brigade participated in the team building exercise, which raised much needed monies to help fund Special Olympics Ireland’s exciting new strategy to double participation in the programme to 16,000 athletes.
 
Special Olympics athletes Tara Leech, Paddy Ellis and Michael Quinn (who ran in the Law Enforcement Torch Run across Europe last year) officially started the race. Many familiar faces were on hand to support the fun run and jog off the excesses of St Patrick’s Day celebrations by participating in the race.

Cllr Royston Brady, Lord Mayor of Dublin, TV presenter Lorraine Keane and former Olympian John Treacy were among the celebrities who crossed the finish line shoulder to shoulder with Defence Forces staff and Special Olympics Ireland athletes such as Rita Lawlor and Denise Judge, both former athletes and present athletes Rebecca Bourke and Donal Carroll, who travelled from Limerick to participate.

Place and fun prizes, which were generously donated included dinner for two in top restaurants such as at the Mansion House, in Temple Bar and Mermaid Café on Dame Street as well as nights out in the Canal Bank Restaurant, Elephant and Castle and The Irish Film Centre in Dublin; O’Brien’s Irish Sandwich Bars, a major sponsor of the 2003 World Summer Games, also donated product to the event, highlighting their commitment to building on the legacy of the World Games to the benefit of people with a learning disability across the island of Ireland.

Over 800 military personnel were involved in the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games providing essential operations expertise. As a result of the success of their participation, the synergy generated between the two organisations and the bonds made with athletes, the Defence Forces wishes to continue to support the Special Olympics movement in Ireland. It is envisaged that the fun run will become an annual event.

Photo credit: Marc O’Sullivan/OSD Photo Agency

Special Olympics athlete Laura Jane Dunne


Athlete Michael Quinn from Tyrone with Mary Davis, National Director Special Olympics Ireland and Col. AJ O'Donovan, Commanding Officer, 2 Eastern Brigade Reserve Forces