THE NEXT big road running event in County Wexford takes place this coming Saturday as Sliabh Buidhe Rovers A.C. will stage the Mick Murphy Memorial four miles road race and fun run. The run will start at 5.30 p.m., with entries being taken in Ferns Community Centre from 4 p.m.

However, online entries can still be made on www.runireland.com. There are changing facilities in the Community Centre. The race is open to runners, joggers and walkers alike - everyone is more than welcome to enter. Post-race refreshments will be in The Courtyard, Ferns, with a video of the race and prizegiving then taking place in The Thatch pub.

There will be cash prizes for top finishers and entrants should nominate their age category at registration. The leading athletic club team (four to score) will receive the Mick Murphy Memorial Cup and there is always strong competition for this, with the home club, Slaney Olympic and Tinryland among those that usually fight for the title.

This year will, for the first time, see the presentation of the E.T. Doyle Cup for the first S.B.R. athlete home, so there is sure to be keen competition here. There is also a prize for the first non-athletic club team (three to score). All entrants will receive a goody bag and there will be numerous spot prizes for down the field finishers. For more information contact Luke Kehoe on 087-3222914.

Best of luck to all Wexford athletes who will be making the trip to County Kerry this Saturday for the Dingle festival of road racing. The day sees the running of three seperate races - a half marathon, a full marathon and an ultra marathon (which will be a distance of 50 miles and doubles as the national 50-mile title). In particular, best wishes to Shane Whitty (S.B.R.) who is taking on the ultra marathon challenge and who has been in full training for this race for the past many months, posting a time of 2.58.06 in the Cork City marathon in June as part of his preparation.

The next general board meeting of Athletics Wexford will take place on Wednesday, September 1, in Donohoe's lounge, Enniscorthy, at 8.30 p.m. All clubs are requested to be represented.

The annual Rockford road race took place on Saturday last in Tinryland, Co. Carlow, and there was a big representation from Wexford at the extended four miles race, which always attracts the cream of Irish running talent. The evergreen Jim Stafford (Slaney Olympic) ran a strong race to finish 13th overall in a time of 21.56, and he was the first Wexford man across the line (also winning the M50 category).

Tommy McElwaine (S.B.R.) ran well too, finishing only four seconds off Jim, with 22 minutes dead. Myles Gibbons (S.B.R.) followed with 22.53, while Ger Moloney (St. Paul's) clocked 22.59. Denis Moynihan ran 23.40, while Jim O'Malley posted 23.56 and David Leonard (all S.B.R.) ran 24.53. Ann Sullivan (D.M.P.) won her category with 26.09, while Paul Holmes (S.B.R.) clocked 26.12.

Paul Gibbons (S.B.R.) finished second in a 5km trail race on Sunday last hosted by Lakeshore Striders.

Congratulations to Colin Nolan (Enniscorthy A.C.) who has been awarded the Wexford Creamery athlete of the month for July. Colin has been in terrific form all summer and recently won gold in the Under16 boys' pentathlon (100m hurdles, high jump, long jump, shot putt and 800m) at the Woodies DIY All-Ireland combined events championship in Tullamore, Co. Offaly. Colin was also a member of the Wexford relay team which won gold in the boys' Under-17 4 x 100m relay at the Woodies DIY All-Ireland Juvenile track and field championships.

Best of luck to all Wexford athletes who will compete in the A.A.I. half marathon championships of Ireland this Sunday. The 13.1 miles road race will take place in Tolerton, Co. Laois, with race headquarters being at St. Abban's A.C. complex, and the race gets under way at 1 p.m.

There will be an athletics coaching course in Wexford on September 12 in Murrintown Community Centre from 9.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Full details of the course content and application forms can be found on: http://www.athleticsireland.ie/content/?page_id=2609. Please complete the application forms and return to: 12 Convent Court , Delgany, Co. Wicklow.

The Kilmore 10km road race will take place on Saturday, September 11. Full details on www.kilmoreathletics.com.

The final race in the mile challenge organised by D.M.P. will be held on Monday, September 6, on the athletics track at Sinnottstown Lane, Wexford. The challenge is open to all, both runners and walkers.

All proceeds go to Wexford Special Olympics and so far 47 people have competed over the classic mile distance to help raise muchneeded funds for the deserving cause. For more information contact John Joe on 053-9120960/0851744481.

S.B.R. hold a training run each Wednesday, leaving the square in Ferns at 7 p.m. More information from Luke on 087-3222914. All are welcome.

Adamstown A.C. will again be hosting its open cross-country meeting in September. The event will feature races for both Juveniles and Seniors and will take place on Sunday, September 19, at 12 noon. More information from Ann O' Gorman on 087-7434470.

Full details for all athletics events can be found on www.athleticswexford.com