The fifth annual Affidea Ireland sponsored Rith Beo race took place at a sun-soaked Gaelscoil Osraí in Kilkenny on Sunday morning.

There was a great atmosphere at the school as over 600 runners took part on the day – its largest attendance to date. Participants got to enjoy the 5K and 10K routes in the sunshine through the scenic Loughboy area of the city.

Four separate races proved popular including a 3K Family Fun Run, 5K Individual Race, 5K Team event and a 10K Individual race.

• Anthony Frahill was first home in the 5K race with an impressive time of 16:37, while Caoilte Malone was the first female with a great time of 18:06.
• The 5K Team event, sponsored by Guineys Kilkenny, was a great success and was won by the Ormonde Leisure Club for the second year running.
• Pat Young recorded an impressive time of 39:18 to win the 10K event, while Aifric Bolger finished strong and was the first female home with a brilliant time of 43:19.
• A large number of pupils and their families took part in the Petmania Ireland 3K Family Fun Run, showing off our future elite athletes in the making! Fionn Drago was the first boy home and Hannah Griffey was the first girl to cross the line.

All monies raised will go towards the purchasing of furniture and specialised learning equipment for the library, with an additional donation to the local Teac Tom charity, which provides free counselling and therapy to adults and children and groups affected by suicide.

Roisín Purcell of the Rith Beo Committee acknowledged all of the support from the people and businesses of Kilkenny; “The committee is extremely grateful to our main sponsors Affidea Ireland, Guineys Kilkenny and Petmania Ireland. We would also like to acknowledge the support of over 75 businesses who helped with sponsorship and donating gift vouchers. The race would not have gone ahead without your support. We would also like to commend and acknowledge everybody who helped us out in any way on the day.”

Seán Ó Hargáin, Príomhoide, Gaelscoil Osraí was very happy with the even; “Tá áthas an domhain orainn le rith Beo 2017. Tá an ócáid ag dul ó neart go neart le páistí, tuismitheoirí agus lucht reatha Chill Chainnigh ag glacadh páirt ann le fuinneamh. Mar scoil ghníomhach, cuirimid béim ar aclaíocht pháistí chun go mbeidh saol níos sona agus sláinte níos fearr acu amach anseo. Taimid an-bhuíoch dár gcoiste iontach, dár nurraithe ar fad agus do gach éinne a chabhraigh agus a ghlac páirt. Táimid ag súil le Rith Beo 2018 cheana féin.”

During the prize-giving, Affidea CEO Tom Finn, in attendance with Affidea Cork, Client Relationship Executive, and former Irish rugby international David Corkery, added; “We were delighted to be able to support the Rith Beo Fun Run again this year. The popularity of the event shows what a strong community Kilkenny has and we are pleased to be able to support their fundraising efforts.”