Today’s Sport for Business Digest covers the launch of a new mass participation race through Dublin’s Docklands; Puma’s Yard at the London 2012 Olympics; a must win game for Irish women’s soccer and a new corporate partner for Cricket Ireland ahead of the weekend RSA Challenge against Australia…
 
 
 
Docklands race targets corporate runners
Business advisors Grant Thornton and Athletics Ireland have announced a new running event to take place in the heart of the Irish business district. The Grant Thornton Corporate 5k Team Challenge will take place through the streets of the Dublin Docklands on the evening of 6th September  and is aimed at encouraging social running amongst Dublin’s business community.
An online twelve week beginners’ training programme, ‘From Desk to the Docklands 5k,’ has also been put in place to assist those preparing for the race which will take place on a circuit including the Samuel Beckett and Matt Talbot bridges.
“I think that the time is right for this type of Corporate Team Challenge to ignite in Dublin and it should be a great opportunity for both seasoned runners and first-timers to join together in a lively team challenge,” said Olympic Marathon runner and event ambassador Mark Kenneally.
The Grant Thornton Corporate 5k Team Challenge will target both the regular running community as well as businesses. It is a team event with a minimum of four participants and the winning team will be determined by combined times, assisted by chip timing technology.
“This is another big event that Athletics Ireland will manage and we have already delivered some very successful mass-participation events this year including the RTE Operation Transformation 5k, The Run with Ray D’Arcy, the 5k Countrywide Series and the Samsung Run Dublin @ Night event,” said Athletics Ireland CEO John Foley
“The event offers a challenge to both employers and employees and is an excellent way of involving the entire staff in a fun, healthy and rewarding activity,” added Colin Feeley of Grant Thornton .
Puma turns Brick Lane into Olympic ‘Yard’
Sportswear brand Puma is highlighting its association with Usain Bolt and the Jamaican Olympic team by opening a Jamaican ‘Yard’ filled with entertainment, refreshments and lifestyle shopping on the famous Brick Lane in London.
There will be giant screens to show action from the Olympic venues and a Puma Speed Test based on the 09:58 100 metre World record set by Bolt.
Adidas is the official Olympic partner in the sporting goods sector and other brands advertising or promotion will be heavily policed.  There will be a 1KM ‘exclusion zone’ around the Olympic venues within which no brand association will be permitted.  Brick Lane is a little over 5KM from the Olympic Stadium in Stratford.
Irish Women’s soccer team in must win game
The Irish Senior Women’s team is in action in Cork tonight for a vital qualifier for the Euro 2013 Championships.
Defeat at Turners Cross to Wales last weekend has left Sue Ronan’s team four points behind tonight’s rivals in a race for second spot behind the unbeaten France.  Both sides play France in their remaining two fixtures with Ireland travelling to the pointless Israel in the other match and Scotland taking on Wales.
Anything less than a win will effectively end hopes of qualifying and it is hoped a bigger crowd than the 653 who attended the Wales fixture will turn out to cheer the team.
Cricket Ireland adds corporate partner
Cricket Ireland has added netting specialist Tildenet to its official partner programme and has negotiated a 15% discount on any products in their range for Irish cricket clubs and Irish schools playing the game.
Tildenet will be among the corporate partners at Stormont this weekend for the International One Day RSA Challenge at Stormont in Belfast this Saturday.
“We are delighted to bring Tildenet on board as part of our commercial partnership programme.,” said Cricket Ireland CEO Warren Deutrom.  “Cricket Ireland is focused on delivering value to clubs and schools throughout the country through our relationship with suppliers and we are certain that working with a market leader like Tildenet will support us with these objectives.”
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