Ray 'really looking forward' to returning to Mullingar

Ray D'Arcy says that he is "really looking forward" to next Wednesday evening's Run with Ray 5k on the Old Rail Trail, which he says will have an added poignancy for him and his family.

Mullingar is one of five locations chosen for the latest instalment of the Run with Ray series. Over five days from next Monday, June 26, Ray will be broadcasting from Buncrana in Donegal, Doorly Park, Sligo, Mullingar (June 28), Avondale House and Forest Park in Rathdrum, Wicklow, and Corkagh Park, Clondalkin in Dublin from 3pm to 4.30pm.

Ray will then join the starting line with runners in each community who have signed up to Run with Ray for 5km!  The team are looking for runners, joggers, and walkers from across the country to come along for a fun afternoon of craic, conversation, and community.

The aim is to get communities outdoors and moving, Ray says: “We’re delighted to be back on the road for our Run with Ray series! We know from previous years that these are special events, people who do them, go on to change their lives. I know that sounds like a big statement, but it really does get people into moving around, being more active. So, if you’re out there and around Buncrana, Sligo, Mullingar, Wicklow or Dublin we’d love to see you!”

The last time Run with Ray came to Mullingar was 12 years ago. He says that he and his team are "delighted" to be returning to the town as they always get a great welcome.

" We were there for the Fleadh last year and really enjoyed ourselves! And of course, we did a Run with Ray maybe 12 years ago now. I remember it was a Thursday and they closed the streets. We got cheered on by all the people in the streets of Mullingar.

"It was a particularly poignant event because Jenny, my wife, her dad is from Multyfarnham, out the road from Mullingar. Jenny had rang him that day to say she was in Mullingar and that was the last time she spoke to him. Mick Kelly died that night so that's a sad but important memory from Mullingar.

"We're really looking forward to the event and making new memories in Westmeath and hoping that everyone comes out and joins us on the Old Rail Trail next Wednesday. Thanks again to the Westmeath Sports Partnership for helping us out on this one!"

Anyone who signs up gets a Run with Ray T-shirt, which people can collect on the day along with their numbers from 4.15pm to 5.15pm – the run starts at 5.30pm

The 5km course is on the Old Trail Greenway at Newbrook. It starts at the Newbrook Bridge on the canal and ends on the Old Rail Trail Greenway (similar to the parkrun route).

To register go to www.runwithray.ie.