Brogan ready for New Challenge: Dublin star launches Lifestyle Sports-adidas Race Series

Dublin’s Paul Brogan, top Irish model Sarah McGovern, and FM104 DJ’s Jim McCabe and Niamh Crowley were in Merrion Square to officially launch the 2008 Lifestyle Sports-adidas Race Series. The three race series, which take place in the Phoenix Park, get underway on July 12th, with the Irish Runner Five Mile Challenge. Brogan, McGovern, McCabe and Crowley are all undertaking the Challenge for the first time.

Since it was introduced six years ago, all three races have seen a huge surge in popularity, with numbers growing from around 200 entrants back in 2001 to almost 3,000 last year.

The organisers have also noted the huge jump in female participants over that time.

“We originally introduced the series to work as part of a training programme for the Marathon, with a 5 mile race in July, a 10 mile in August, and a half-marathon in September, it is an ideal testing ground for anyone planning to run Dublin” said Race Director Jim Aughney.

“However, the races have become hugely popular in their own right, we get people who just run the five mile, or run all three, but don’t intend to run the Marathon. There has just been a huge growth in people running again, people are running for enjoyment, health and fitness. The Race Series just gives people that little bit of an extra challenge or test. Women now comprise at least 50% of the field in the five mile; this is a big change from years gone by”

Paul Brogan is taking advantage of his enforced absence from the Dublin panel to set himself a new challenge.

“I haven’t raced since school, but obviously running does form a huge part of my training. I’m just looking forward to being able to get back to competing and pushing myself a little after the knee op. I must admit, I’d probably prefer to be on the pitch with my brothers on the 19th July, but I’ve heard the atmosphere is great at the Irish Runner Challenge, so I’m really looking forward to it”

McCabe and Crowley are also looking forward to July 12th,,they’re persuading family, friends and FM104 listeners to join them whether they run walk or crawl the 5 miles.

“FM104 are official supporters of the Race Series and the Marathon, I suppose we just thought it was time to be more than just supporters, and to actually take part. We may be regretting that come the morning of the race, but for now, we are actually enjoying the training I have to say!” said McCabe.

The Irish Runner Challenge, the first of the Lifestyle Sports-adidas Race Series takes place on Saturday July 12th in the Phoenix Park. Entry and further details @ www.dublinmarathon.ie.

Lifestyle Sports-adidas Race Series:

Saturday, 12 July: Lifestyle Sports - adidas Irish Runner 5 mile
Saturday, 16 August: Lifestyle Sports - adidas Frank Duffy 10 mile
Saturday, 20 September: Lifestyle Sports - adidas Dublin Half-Marathon