Charlie, Ray, Anne and Padraic

from Mayo Sports Partnership wish you and yours a very happy, safe and active Christmas.

Thank you for all your support in 2013 we look forward to bringing you many activity programmes in 2014.

Together lets make 2014 a year in which we all become more physically active, fitter and healthier.

See below for the list of Christmas Sporting Events 2013.

Coming in January 2014

In association with Mayo's Operation Transformation

With Programmes In Areas Such as (Others to be added)- Achill
- Aughamore / Kilmovee
- Ballinrobe
- Castlebar
- Claremorris
- Clogher
- Erris
- Charlestown
- Westport

Commencing with National Walks in Belmullet, Castlebar, Claremorris and Westport on Saturday 18th January. More details in the New Year.

With the turkey eaten and the mince pies weighing heavily, you may fancy a little exercise over the Christmas Holiday Period.

Below is a list of some great local Mayo events that might be of interest during the Christmas season to you and your family.

Saturday December 21st

Westport
Park Run takes place in Westport at 9.30am sharp on Saturday December 21st and every Saturday. This event is free of charge and is 5k distance. Walk/Jog or Run for fun this Christmas in Westport. Its run at Greenway Path Westport. Please register before your first run. Only ever register with parkrun once. Don't forget to bring a printed copy of your barcode (request a reminder). If you forget it, you won't get a time. For More information log onto www.parkrun.ie/westport

Castlebar
Christmas Jumper 5k takes place at Lough Lanngh at 12noon on December 21st. Run/Jog/Walk this 5k which is in aid of hospice. Further details from www.hospice.ie

Wednesday December 25th
Christmas Day
The Goal Mile is a nationwide event with more than 100 communities throughout the country signing up to go that extra mile for people in the developing world. In Mayo the GOAL mile takes place in 3 venues Ballina, Castlebar and Claremorris. Ballina and Castlebar are on Dec 25th Christmas Day while Claremorris is on Jan 1st.
Ballina
The Annual GOAL Mile Fundraising walk/run will take place on Christmas Day in Ballina at the Ballina Athletic Track in Belleek, Ballina between 11-12.30pm.
Castlebar contact mmattimoe@gmail.com
Castlebar
The Annual GOAL Mile Fundraising walk/run will take place on Christmas Day in Castlebar at 11.30am at Lough Lannagh contact henrymgavin@live.com
Westport
The Westport Rugby Clubs Annual Christmas Swim takes place at 1pm on Bertra Beach on Christmas Day

Thursday December 26th
St Stephens Day
Manulla
Manulla FC 2013 Christmas 4mile Run /Jog / Walk on St Stephen's Day at 12 o clock. Registration from 11am at Manulla FC Club-house. Entry Fee is €12. Refreshments & Prizes afterwards in the clubhouse Shower Facilities Available after the race ALL ARE WELCOME
Killasser
The St Stephens Day Walk will commence at 12 noon from Killasser Community Centre. Please support this fundraising event for the Killasser/Knock Centenary reunion and revisit your walking route to school.
There is a choice of 3k, 6k or 10k walking routes. Refreshments will be served.
Achill
A three ball Texas Scramble over 9 holes of golf will be held on St Stephens Day at 11am with a draw for teams at 10.45am. This is a competion open to all comers, men, women, visitors and beginners to come and meet up on St Stephens Day for a bit of fun and at the same time support the Achill Island Lifeboat. There will be refreshments and prizegiving in the clubhouse afterwards.
Aghamore GAA
Aghamore GAA is holding a 5 A Side Soccer Tournament at the Aghamore GAA Pitch on St Stephens Day at 11am
Ardagh GAA
Ardagh GAA is holding a Run/Walk starting at Ardagh Community Centre on St Stephens Day at 12 noon

Saturday December 28th
Claremorris
The second edition of the Land of the Giants Duathlon will again hit the streets of Claremorris over the Christmas so don't worry to much about putting on extra pounds over the festive season as the Duathlon will help to burn them up. On Saturday December 28th at 10.30am the town will be a colour fest of runners and cyclist with no big ambitions of fast times but only aiming to participate and have some sporting fun.

Claremorris, a well known sporting town, is new to this type of racing; a mix of running and cycling but having an ideal venue with the walkway around the McMahon Park and on into the Land of the Giants Greenway which is a real stunner it will make for a great event, even though rumour has it Giants may appear..!!

The event will start at The Square in the Town Centre, once the horn blasts all the runners take off mass start down the Main St on to James Street towards the Ballinrobe Road, turning left into Mc Mahon park on to the path around Clare Lake and on into the longer run over to the Golf course while avoiding a few larger than life obstacles!

Once the run is finished participants get their bikes at the car park and cycle out toward Mayfield rolling over the hills for 6k before turning left for Carramore and left again at Malachy Fordes Country club pub back in to Claremorris, the second run takes the athletes on a 2k anti clockwise run around Clare Lake before running back to The Square for the Finish.

The event has already attracted some big names and as time draws closer to the big day and taken place at a good time of year with a very well laid out course, it is expected to have a big field in excess of 300 participants.

Red tag timing will record the timing of the event so all the splits will be available to every finisher. A team element will be added to this year's event, one person does the first run of 5k and the last 2k to the finish and the other person does the cycle, so no excuses.

The event is open to all abilities, all that is required is that you are healthy and up for a post Xmas challenge and this could be the start of sporting 2014 by making the Land of the Giants your Number one New Year's resolution.

To entry there is an early bird price by logging onto www.eventmaster.ie

Shraheens/Ballyvary
The annual Ballyvary Loop Walk starts at the old school at 11am in aid of Ballyvary hurling and camogie club. Run/Walk/Jog this fun event. Register from 10.15am onward. www.ballyvarryhurling.com
Aclare
Western Care Association host a post Christmas Benefit Horse Ride which will commence in Aclare at 12 noon. Horsemen and women, walkers and ramblers will all take part in this event which is being organized by the ecumenical outreach group at Cloongee house Foxford. The days events will commence at Jo Dans Pub Mullanys cross on the main Ballina to Tubbercurry road. The cost of riders is €20 and everyone is asked to decorate their horses with tinsel and wear Xmas outfits. All enquiries to Barry on 087 4178124 or email cloongeehousemayo@gmail.com
Westport
Park Run takes place in Westport at 9.30am sharp on Saturday December 28th and every Saturday. This event is free of charge and is 5k distance. Walk/Jog or Run for fun this Christmas in Westport. It's run at Greenway Path Westport. Please register before your first run. Only ever register with parkrun once. Don't forget to bring a printed copy of your barcode (request a reminder). If you forget it, you won't get a time. For More information log onto www.parkrun.ie/westport

Monday December 30th
Ballintubber
Calling all young people (age 16+) to come and join the Docesan Youth Council on the first part of the Tóchar Walk. They will gather in Ballintubber Abbey at 10.45am on Dec 30th and walk eleven miles of the old pilgrim path through the fields mainly to Aughagower. Warm clothes, a jacket and hiking boots/wellingons are essential. Bring packed lunch towel etc. Further details contact Trish O'Brien 093 52284 or trishobrienyouth@gmail.com

Wednesday January 1st 2014
Achill
The annual New Years Day Swim will take place at 1pm sharp on Dugort Strand on Wednesday January 1 2014. Swimmers can collect a sponsorship card from the lifeboat station or ring 09845612
Claremorris
The Annual GOAL Mile Fundraising walk/run will take place on January 1st New Years Day in Claremorris at the athletic Centre/Track at 11am. Contact jimryan@eircom.net