CLOSE to 300 turned up at Naas Racecourse last Sunday morning for the Jog for Jockeys fundraiser for Irish Injured Joceys and they were welcomed by IIJ chairman Ruby Walsh, who assisted MC Ken Whelan in getting the 5km and 10km fun-runs underway.

Conditions were good underfoot and it was a very mild morning. Indeed, a breeze and a light shower would have been welcomed by most red-faced runners.

Among those taking part were Shane Foley, Kevin Coleman, Andrew Coonan, Jamie Codd, Garry Cribbin, Joe Osborne, Gerry Duffy, Clodagh Kavanagh and the current Godolphin Flying Start trainees.

Turf Club Senior Steward, Meta Osborne and her husband Dermot Cantillon also ran, as did jockey Mick Hussey and trainer Dick Brabazon.

The Irish Field team got around safely and generously left the prizes to others.

Leanne O’Sullivan of The Irish Field commented: “It was really great fun taking part in the event. Everyone was out to give it their best shot so plenty of friendly rivalry. Everyone was very supportive, cheering on the 10k runners as they passed. Then it was our time to line up runners were jockeying for position.Leo and I were content to stay out the back, Judith chose to be in the middle of the field with Mark and Ronan up near the front. Toward the end of the first lap we all got separated and it was up to each individual team member to get their best possible time, with four of the five team member’s scores counting toward the overall result.

“Very little separated Mark and Ronan, they finished on a very credible time score of 28.33 and 28.50 respectively. Judith, myself and Leo finished up just a few minutes behind. A huge shout out must be given to all the children that took part – they were phenomenal.”