What is Rith 2010
Rith 2010 is a new national festival that will take place between 9th and 17th March 2010 as one of the main events of Seachtain na Gaeilge (Irish language week). A 1600km course has been laid out for a massive relay-race run, running from morning to night, from Belfast to Galway over 9 days with thousands of people taking part in over 250 towns and villages.
A special hand-carved baton has been designed that will carry a hidden message throughout Rith 2010. At the end of the run, the message of support for the Irish language, written by Mary McAleese, the President of Ireland, will be read out as part of the St. Patrick's Day parade in Galway.
Anyone can run on any part of the course. You don't need to pre-register but if you want to be involved you can buy your own kilometre on www.rith.ie and for that part of the run, you and your group will lead the run and carry the baton!
Rith 2010 is a brand new way to celebrate the Irish language an culture in a way that is visual, fun, community based and can be celebrated throughout the island of Ireland. Rith 2010 also aims to raise money to create a new fund for the promotion of the Irish language in the community.