THE RACE medallion – commemorating the 20th anniversary of Sonia O’Sullivan’s silver medal at the 2000 Olympic Games – for the 2020 Ballyliffin International Coastal Challenge has been revealed.
Twenty years after Irish athletics icon O’Sullivan won a silver medal at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, the Cobh woman will take part in the scenic 10-mile race in Donegal on Easter Saturday, April 11.
O’Sullivan, a former World and European gold medalist, will spend Easter weekend in Donegal, taking in the 11th annual Ballyliffin International Coastal Challenge.
Participants now who take up the chance to ‘Run With Sonia’ will pick up one of the coveted medallions.
Online entry is already open for the Ballyliffin International Coastal Challenge here: https://www.visitballyliffin.com/events/ballyliffin-coastal-challenge-2020-registration/
The Race Director is former Irish Athletics Team Manager Patsy McGonagle, who worked with O’Sullivan on that magical Monday in Sydney 20 years ago when she won the 5000m silver.
O’Sullivan said: “I’m excited to get a chance to race in such a lovely part of the world and to catching up with Patsy again.
“Patsy was with me for some of my most memorable days, good and bad, and it’s great that we’ll get a chance to catch up again.”
Oorganisers expect to have a full entry list with entries limited to 1,500 participants.
The Ballyliffin International Coastal Challenge is one of the most scenic races in Ireland.
The final two miles are run across Pollan Beach, with Malin Head and the Five Finger Strand a stunning backdrop as participants follow the route through the Isle of Doagh.
McGonagle said: “Specsavers, Letterkenny have come on board this year as our main sponsor and we are indebted to Paul O’Donoghue and his team for their support.
“We are excited and honoured that an Irish sporting icon of the stature of Sonia O’Sullivan should agree to run our event and the general reaction is one of excitement.”
Sonia O’Sullivan after winning silver at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney
