A conference in Dublin last weekend heard some evidence from the Copenhagen City Heart Study that joggers and runners live longer:

“We can say with certainty that regular jogging increases longevity. The good news is that you don’t actually need to do that much to reap the benefits.”

It's better for men, but women don't do too badly either:

"Undertaking regular jogging increases the life expectancy of men by 6.2 years and women by 5.6 years"

Don't take my word for it though, read the details here:
http://www.escardio.org/about/press/press-releases/pr-12/Pages/regular-j...

Next Saturday at 3pm we will be having a celebration run/ walk in Renmore covering a course of approx. 3 miles, followed by a cuppa and refreshments. That night we will be gathering in the Menlo Park Hotel for a get together and some finger food. We have had some difficulty getting in contact with girls who ran with us over the years so if you know anyone, pass the word on. We are encouraging the runners to wear pink or red if possible! Feel free to turn up for the run but we'd like to have names for the night time event. See you Saturday!!
Contact: Maire Kelly (086-8036044)

Galway Meet and Train was set up by Edel Murphy in 1992 and this year we hope to organise a celebration for the 21st year of its existance. Although we haven't been actively promoting it as a training ground for the Mini marathon over the past few years, there is still a group of runners who meet regularly in Renmore on Monday and Thursday nights throughout the year.We need to get the word out there that we plan this event and will try through the media to make contact with anyone who ran with us over the years.

Last weekend saw the Galway Meet and Train girls heading to Edinburgh to take part in the Great Winter Run 2011 on Saturday morning. This run took place in very snowy, icy conditions on a 5k amended route in Holyrood Park. This was the second year in a row that the course was altered due to severe weather. All the girls completed the course in very good times with Mary Connolly leading the Irish contingent home in an excellent time of 25 mins.

Also running in the Asics Barcelona Half Marathon at the weekend were Meet and Train veterans, Adrienne Walsh, Mary McCann and Maire Kelly. All finished well and added yet another international race to their long list! As the Galway Meet and train will be celebrating its 20th year in existance next year, we will be compiling a list of all races run by its members, which range from Tromso to Sydney and many places in between!

Climb aboard the Corrib Princess and join in the Birthday celebrations.
We've chartered the boat from 7-11pm on August 22nd. The cost is a recession friendly €20, to include entertainment and food.
I have had a great response so far but there are still approximately 15 places left. These are open to GCH members and our close running friends. If there are stil some places and your wives/husbands/partners/better lesser halfs/lovers etc can survive 4 hours of incessant banter on all things running related, then they are welcome too.

With the increase in interest in running in the last year as seen in the increased numbers taking part in road races throughout the county, Galway City Library Service has put together a collection of books on running, runners and related matters such as injury prevention, nutrition for athletes, marathon training etc. This collection is located in Ballybane Library on Castlepark Road in Ballybane.

Galway Meet and Train has been keeping a low profile over the past year following its decision not to organise a group for the Mini Marathon. However that does not mean that the group has been slacking off..far from it! The past weekend saw several of the group members in action. In the Dublin marathon, we had Eileen Donoghue, Hilda McGrath and Elva Breen in action while more of the group went further afield. It was off to Toronto and Niagara Falls where Dolores Foley, Geraldine Fegan and Annette Burke took part in the Niagara Falls Half Marathon last Sunday.

The 2008 FUTURE Streets of Galway 8K road-race took place on Saturday evening last beginning at Southpark in the Claddagh, following the traditional route through the city-centre and out through Salthill, before finishing in a closed loop adjacent to the start-line. This was the 23rd running of this hugely popular road-race which continues to be a focal point on the Irish road-racing calendar for elite competitors and recreational runners alike.

[acidfree:992 align=right] As previously announced, entries have closed for the 2008 FUTURE Streets of Galway race.

If you didn't get a place in our 8k race, and you're intent of doing a road race soon, there's none better than the Claregalway 10K Road Race. This incorporates the Galway County AAI 10K Road Championships for 2008 which means you'll get a lovely medal if you're fast enough. Other than that it's a great race mostly on quiet rural roads with great hospitality from the Clare River Harriers athletics club.