Attention all you people who like to run! Dublin Frontrunners need you!

The inaugural 5k Dublin Pride Run will take place on Friday 22nd June at 7:30pm in the Phoenix Park. The event is a summer fun run and open to all, whether you are a seasoned runner, or someone who just wants to head along for a jog.

The Frontrunners have also announced that  Former World Cross Country Silver Medallist Catherina McKiernan will start the run. The run is in aid of Headstrong, The National Centre for Youth Mental Health, which is an excellent organisation. Even if you don’t like running, I’d still encourage you to head along for support and donate what you can!

Headstrong is a non-profit organisation supporting young people’s mental health in Ireland. Headstrong works with communities and statutory services to empower young people to develop the skills, self-confidence and resilience to cope with mental health challenges- their vision is to give every young person in Ireland somewhere to turn to and someone to talk to.

Frontrunners are encouraging participants to raise sponsorship or donate money directly to Headstrong. Aidan Rodgers, Race Director said:

Headstrong are a natural fit for the run. They’re a dynamic organisation who do great work empowering communities to support young people in Ireland.

Just a bit about the group themselves: Dublin Front Runners AC is Ireland’s largest gay and lesbian sporting group. The club is part of a world-wide network of gay and lesbian “Front Runners” running and walking clubs. The name “Frontrunners” was inspired by Patricia Nell Warren’s novel The Front Runner.

Since it was set up in 2005, DFR has grown to over 120 members and is now a fully fledged athletic club affiliated to Athletics Ireland. Indeed, many of its members have become a regular presence in local club events in the Dublin area. DFR meet in The Phoenix Park two or three times a week and regard the park as their running home.

Regarding the Dublin Pride Run, Aidan Rodgers also said:

We are very excited at the prospect of the race. The club has been in existence for over 6 years and this is a natural progression for us. We hope that run will become an integral part of the annual running calendar. We expect the run will raise the profile of the club and get more people participating in sport and athletics.

The fun run will take place in the Phoenix Park on Friday 22nd June at 7:30pm. The run will start on the Acres Road, proceed down the Kyber Pass, along the S Bends, move along the Glen Road, turn onto Furze Road and then proceed down Chesterfield Ave to the finish near the car park at the Papal Cross.

The Dublin Frontrunners are trying to get people to sign up early, so if you’re interested, head over to www.dublinfrontrunners.ie and register today!

Run Location: Acres Road, Phoenix Park

When: Friday 22nd June 2012 at 7.30pm

Distance: 5km

Registration: online here

Fee: €20 plus registration

Please note:

Parking is available at the Papal Cross car park, the Phoenix Park Visitor’s Centre or, on Chesterfield Ave. An Garda Siochana have advised that parking is not permitted in the area around St Mary’s Hospital, Acres Road and the Chapelizod entrance to the park.

The post race party will take place in the Polo Club. Sign up today!

For more information, see the Front Runner site as well as the event on Facebook.  Or click on the HeadStrong site.