WHEN does an athletics race/walk become a very personal part of your life?

Martin Drake a very well known Youghal athlete who to this day is a huge character within the sport and still an enthusiastic competitor only knows too well as he sadly lost his wife Caroline nearly a year ago and as a tribute to her and an opportunity to help Marymount Hospice in some way he is organising what could be one of the biggest East Cork road races outside of the Ballycotton ‘10’ in association with Youghal Athletic Club.
By Derek Kiely | Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com | Email: news@youghalonline.com

Last week the official launch of this great project took place in Farrell Summerfield Bar and it was apparent that the huge numbers that attended this launch were thrilled to be part of this personal and very worthy event.

Noel Berkley and James McCarthy are just two of many elite and International athletes that will take to the roads in Youghal to help raise funds for this most worthy cause as well as show Martin their supports.

Martin and his co-organiser Tim Twomey got together months ago to see what they could do and since that meeting the names just keep rolling in.

Twomey told YoughalOnline.com Sport “The purpose of this whole event is twofold, one to honour the memory of Caroline and two to raise some funds for Marymount. We now have over a 100 sponsorship cards out there and our very printer sponsor ‘Flanagan Print’ is printing another couple of hundred such is the demand and that is great”.

The race has many sponsors already including Farrell’s Bar and Jack O’ Patsy Pottery and the race will start on Sunday July the 18th at 2pm at Summerfield Cross make its way through Youghal turn at the North end of the town continue back up the quayside and finish by the Front Strand at the old train station covering a distance of four miles.

The race is being measured and organised by ‘Ballycotton Running Promotions’ and has an AAI Permit for both runners and walkers of all levels alike.

Kathy O’Donovan representing Marymount Hospice said “We are building a new hospital and we have the frame of it up, but we still have a way to go and events like these are so important to us. The new hospital would give patients individual rooms and give each person the privacy they deserve, so again we say thank you to everyone involved in this event”.

Youghal Town Council Lady Mayor Sandra Mc Clellan said “When Martin first organised this charity event in aid of Marymount Hospice it started out as a local fundraiser, but it gradually started to gain momentum and has turned into a huge event”.

People from all walks of life are attending and contributing is some shape or form for this race and the fun and entertainment that will follow with the many prizes presented on the day, but the man behind it all was for once really caught for words on the night.

Martin Drake told YoughalOnline Sport “It was emotional, but it was lovely. All of Caroline’s family are here tonight and they are as thrilled as I am about how highly thought of she was. I am delighted and touched by the support I have received and I hope everyone enjoys the day”.