Archived News 2008

Good luck to all taking part in the Dublin Marathon!

We'll be at the RDS Expo for the weekend, so call over and say hello.

February 2008

Champion Sports Team Up With Cork City Marathon (in €140 sponsorship deal)

Wednesday, 27th February 2008: Champion Sports, Ireland's premium sports retailer, was revealed as title sponsor for this year's Cork City Marathon-a major boost to us ahead of the June 2nd race. The Champion Sports Cork City Marathon is expected to attract up to 8,000 entries this year, almost double last year's inaugural event.

"This is a fantastic partnership which will help to promote the marathon nationally and regionally," said Cork's Lord Mayor Cllr Donal Counihan at the official launch. "Last year was the first marathon in Cork in 21 years and, with over 5,000 entries was a brilliant showcase for the city. With Champion Sports on board we can be sure that the event will grow along with the ambitions we have for it". 

Speaking at the launch event, John Quinn, Executive Director of Champion Sports, said "Champion Sports has worked hard to become the premium sports retailer in Ireland. We understand the attraction of a marathon to entrants, whether they want to win or just for the enjoyable team experience. Our investment reflects a commitment to maintaining our position as market leaders while encouraging both existing and budding enthusiasts to get out and get involved in sports".    

The "marathon for everyone" attracts serious runners and part-timers with its unique formula of an individual race and a relay event .                       

"Teams of up to five people can run the marathon so anyone with a little bit of training can take part", said the Lord Mayor. "Last year we had over 600 relay teams running for all sorts of reasons-for a myriad of charities, as part of a social club or just as good friends getting together to complete the event. It makes for a superb atmosphere on the day with teams cheering their last leg runner home to the finish".

Sports Stars also put their stamp of approval on the format of the marathon. The ability for everyone to take part in the Champion Sports Cork City Marathon is a real incentive to do some exercise and get involved", said Cork Football Star James Masters. And the race even got the thumbs up from You're A Star Finalist Pat Fitzgibbon who said "I'm a keen runner and a member of an athletic club and who knows I could be running this year".

The route has been kept as close to the city as possible to ensure maximum spectator involvement and will also feature a leg through the Jack Lynch Tunnel. It will start and finish right in the centre of Patrick Street and cover points north, south, west and east in between.

"It's a fantastic route and really brings every area of the city into play while also having the potential to generate great times for all who participate," said Lord Mayor Counihan.

The Champion Sports Cork City Marathon will be run on Bank Holiday Monday 2nd June and is being supported by Cork City Council who have pledged to back the event for five years so that  the Marathon becmes one of the major events in the Irish Sporting Calendar.

Entry forms are available from the Champion Sports Cork City Marathon Office, here on the website, at all Champion Sports stores nationwide and at most gyms and sports and athletics clubs. You can also get a copy by contacting us at info@corkcitymarathon.ie.

About our Title Sponsor Champion Sports

Champion Sports first opened its doors in Dublin's O'Connell Street in 1992 and over the past 15 years has become the leading retailer of sports clothing, footwear, accessories and equipment in Ireland.

Since 2005, Champion Sports has opened eight new stores around the country, the most recent in Kilkenny, Swords, WestEnd Blanchardstown, Galway, plus a second store in Limerick. There are now 23 state-of-the-art stores located in premium retail locations around the country providing the best range of sports clothing and footwear.