Tullamore Harriers half marathon looms large

The wait is nearly over as Tullamore Harriers AC will host the annual BnM Tullamore Harriers Half Marathon tomorrow (Saturday), August 29.

Starting at 8.45am with the walkers, and then followed at 10am with the main pack all taking on the 13.1-mile race.

Starting on the Charleville Road at the junction with Dillon Street, the event will take participants through the scenic countryside around Tullamore, through Mucklagh, along the Ross Road to Ballinacanty Cross, through Killurin, before finishing with a lap of the Tullamore Harriers track.

Long-serving club official Liam Hennessy will be this year's guest starter for the BnM Tullamore Harriers Half Marathon.

The club has the tradition of inviting a guest starter to send the competitors on their way before the annual event, an initiative that has afforded the club and wider athletic community the opportunity to recognise and celebrate an outstanding contribution to the sport of athletics.

Liam, having shelved his well-worn running shoes, turned his energy and enthusiasm toward administration and has given an extraordinary amount of time to Tullamore Harriers over many years. Liam served as club secretary for 20 years from 1987 to 2007 and as treasurer for 17 years from 2008 to 2025. Liam continues to serve on the extremely busy management committee, where he is the driving force behind the club's continued development.

Tullamore Harriers is sincerely grateful for the continued support of BnM, Offaly County Council, An Garda Síochána, Offaly Civil Defence, the event's sponsors, residents and the hundreds of volunteers whose commitment makes the race possible each year.

The club thanks the public in advance for their patience and cooperation for what promises to be another successful Tullamore Harriers Half Marathon.

"Throughout the year, every year, we rely on the help, assistance and genuine backing of so many people but to host an event on the scale of our annual Half Marathon, we need even more support. From main sponsor and event partner BnM, to the many local businesses and individuals who contribute in so many different ways every bit of support makes a difference. To all our sponsors, thank you so much. We genuinely couldn't do it without you. Best of luck to all competing," said Tullamore Harriers AC.