Report by Nuala O’Connor
Photos from the DSI Facebook page: Click here
For some people the start of their working day might be when they lack motivation or really need coffee. Imagine this instead…the first person you deal with every weekday morning can just about reach your door handle, he knows you’re in there because you are looking straight at him but he still knocks on the glass panel, with a big smile on his face he waves in at you and shouts “hellooo!” and waves again. Only when you call out with equal enthusiasm to say good morning and tell him to come on in do he and his classmate bundle in and sit in their favourite seats.
With this in my heart and mind everyday, I happened to see online that Down Syndrome Ireland were hosting their inaugural Purple Run in the Phoenix Park on Sunday the 20th March as part of celebrations for World Down Syndrome Day. I knew what race I would like to support. Conor had kindly sent me a message to invite me along with the Sportsworld group doing the St Patrick’s Fetsival run in the city centre but I decided my race was to be elsewhere that day.
Race Reporter Nuala O’Connor in action for Sportsworld
There was no chip timing so only my Garmin holds my time and pace data. Likewise only thanks to a marshal about half way round and the finish line announcer do I know that I was 3rd female home. There were no race prizes but I got invited to a DSI carnival the following day where my little girl and I had lots of fun. The organisation was perfect; race numbers, t-shirts, secure bag drop, first aid, toilets…everything a runner would expect but in addition there was a relaxed, friendly and welcoming atmosphere. I think I’ll do it again next year in aid of a great cause.
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