Over 100 students and staff participated in DCU’s inaugural fun run in Albert College Park last Wednesday.
The 5k fun run was organised by staff at the School of Nursing and Social Sciences in an effort to get students and staff interacting with one another.
“We need to foster really good relations between students and staff and this is a great way to do it,” said Children’s nursing lecturer, Dr Tracey Harrington.
The race was won by business student, Dan Mera. “I thought I was going to die, but it was good fun,” he said.
Intellectual disability nursing student, Thomas Kelly was a close first crossing the line two seconds behind the winner. “I should have pushed him at the post, “he said.
CEO of the University, Declan Raftery finished in third place with a time of 22.07. The event was open to all faculties however; most of the participants came from the School of Nursing and Social Sciences.
“It would be great if we could build into a university wide event. We’ve a park and a gym on our doorstep, there’s no excuse,” said Declan Raftery.
DCU Athletics and Olympics coach, Enda Fitzpatrick held training sessions in the weeks ahead of the fun run.
In order to take part in the run, participants were asked to pay a fee of €5 for students and €10 for staff.
All money raised from the run will be divided between DCU’s Access programme, DCU in the Community and the university’s scholarship fund.
The DCU Access programme provides financial assistants to students from socially and economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
While, DCU in the Community brings educational opportunities to local residents.
Refreshments were provided after the event, with spot prizes being presented in the NuBar.
It is hoped that the fun run will motivate students to enter the Flora Mini Marathon on behalf of the chosen DCU programmes.
Lauren Kelly
Image Credit: Eimear Phelan
Leave a Reply