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SIMON TIERNEY finds ways to channel Olympic fervour

Sat Aug 18 2012 - 01:00

SIMON TIERNEYfinds ways to channel Olympic fervour

The most cost-free sporting activity is to go for a run. There are plenty of free apps available. Runkeeper uses GPS tracking and keeps a record of all your distances and times. But if the Olympics has piqued your interest in other sports we have some offers that might set your pulse racing.

The An Post Rebel Tour 2012 (Glengarriff, Co Cork) is taking place on September 15th and includes cycling races for different levels. There are five places, normally €15-€40, free to the first people to email imcloughlin@corksports.ie, stating your preferred race: 55km Rebel Cruise, 85km Rebel Rider or 160km Rebel Challenge, and quoting “An Post Rebel Tour”.

There are five free family passes, worth €20 each, available for the 12km route of the Leinster Loop Charity Cycle tomorrow (St Laurence's Community Complex, Old Grange, Narraghmore, Co Kildare, leinsterloop.com). The event is in aid of the National Breast Cancer Research Institute (NBCRI) and St Laurence's Community Complex. Stephen Roche will be leading the event. To avail of the places, email esther@tact.ie with the answer to the following question, before 9pm tonight: What is the name of the 12km route of the Leinster Loop?

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Taekwon-do is a great workout. Under the leadership of Donal O’Donoghue, a 5th Dan Black Belt, Dublin ITF Sport Taekwon-Do (Unit D2 Centrepoint, Rosemount Business Park, Ballycoolin, Dublin 11, tel: 01-8829955), is offering one month’s free classes (normally €50), in September/October, to the first 10 people to email info@dublin-itf.com.

Wild Geese Martial Arts Judo Club (14-16 Magennis Place, Pearse Street, Dublin 2, wildgeesema.com) is hosting two free beginners' classes (normally €10, concessions available) on August 26th and September 2nd, 5pm-6.30pm. The first 20 people to email donaltannam@gmail.com will get the places.

Last but not least . . .

Down with Jazz, a new music festival in Meeting House Square (Temple Bar, Dublin 2), is the antidote to this active sentiment. Lots of fresh jazz talent will be taking to the stage over the weekend of August 24th-26th. This is a free but ticketed event. There are 10 tickets to the Sunday session for the first readers to email hello@improvisedmusic.ie. See downwithjazz.ie.