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Tralee Harriers members, sponsors of the Tralee Marathon series and supporters gather at the official turning on of the lights at their training grounds on the Dan Spring Road on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
MEMBERS of Tralee Harriers gathered at their training grounds off the Dan Spring Road last night to officially turn on their new floodlights at the track.
They were joined by special guest Mayor of Tralee Norma Foley, longtime supporters and sponsors of the Tralee Marathon series which is funding developments at the grounds.
“The lights have been sponsored by the fundraising we do for the Tralee Marathon,” said Paul Griffin, Tralee Harriers PRO, who explained what the club has planned on the grounds in the coming years.
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“Tralee Harriers hosts the marathon, Valentine’s Run and Rose 10k events. These fundraise for the developments at the grounds here. The first instalment of money has paid for the lights and we can start development of a 4x400m training track. Soon we’ll have a long jump lane and pit, a high jump area, shot, discus and hammer and eventually, as part of our five year plan, a clubhouse in the corner of the grounds,” said Paul.
The track lanes are planned to be in place by the end of 2018 with the addition of the high jump and additional lane in early 2019. These will be funded by the marathon income as well as grants and loans.
There is also a plan for an astroturf lane on the outside of the lights to facilitate people who want to do ‘Couch To 5k’ and to introduce free-weights like they have in parks to be used by the whole community.
Paul said the idea is that the entire Dan Spring Road area will be a sports hub with the tennis club, Aquadome, astroturf pitch at CBS and their own facility.
Exciting times then for the club which is gearing up for the marathon in three weeks time.
