Project Charter : The Great Southern Run 2023

Project Sponsor : Limerick City & County Council

Project Manager : Seoirse Laffan

Date: 1st of March 2021

1. Background

Limerick was selected to be European City of Sport for 2023 winning the prestigious award after an
European Union competition. To celebrate this award an international sporting event will be held in
the city to showcase Limerick to the world. An needs analysis study was done to find the best event
to showcase the city and generate maximum revenue for the local economy. The Great Southern
Run was picked ahead of an International Rowing and Triathlon options that were eliminated after
feasibility and needs assessment study.

The run will generate greater participation and audience from the local community and attract more
national and international visitors than the other two event options.

The Great Southern Run offers something for everyone from the elite Olympic athlete to the fun
runners and walkers of all ages. The three options to run on the event day include a fully certified
marathon, a half marathon and a 10km.

The start times for the three events are staggered on Sunday April 30 th 2023. The marathon course is
designed to showcase Limerick’s historic and sporting sights including the city center’s Georgian
architecture, medieval King John’s castle, The Treaty Stone, Thomond Park and The Gaelic Grounds.
The route will take in the University of Limerick and cross Thomond and Sarsfield bridges over the
river Shannon.

The event will incorporate an Exposition and children’s fun run on Saturday April 29 th 2023 in the
University of Limerick.

There will be an evening of celebration for all with an open air music concert and fireworks on the
evening of the event.

A total of 980 personnel will be involved in the operation of the event. This will require 12,000
personnel hours to deliver the event to Limerick. Almost three quarters of the hours required to
deliver the event will be provided by volunteers. A total of 7,300 volunteer hours will be provided
under The Great Southern Run volunteer program.

A Social and Economic Impact report commissioned by Limerick City and County Council , estimated
the event will deliver a welcome €4.5 million boost to the local economy.

2. Objective

To showcase Limerick as the European City of Sport highlighting our great sporting tradition and our
medieval city promoting the associated tourism industry in the region and organizing a world class
event.
To have 12,000 participants registered on race day for Marathon, half marathon , 10km and kids fun
run generating €500,000 in revenue as budget for event is €375,000.

Safety of participants and spectators must be assured. No one to get injured as health and safety is
priority for all participants, spectators , volunteers and workers.

The event must run on schedule and hit registration milestones over 9 months up to race day.

Registration Milestones

4th August 2022 - 500

4th September 2022 - 1,000

4th November 2022 - 2,000

4th January 2023 – 6,000

4th February 2023 – 8,000

4th March 2023 - 10,000

30th April 2023 - 12,000

All aspects of the of the event must be well organized in a S.M.A.R.T. way so participants and
visitors experience a world class experience.

Traffic management is correct to prevent an negative impact on local business.

A clean as you go policy must be managed throughout the event and afterwards to keep Limerick
tidy.

3. Outcomes

To deliver a world class event showcasing Limerick with no injury suffered by any participant ,
spectator or worker.

12,000 participants participate in the Great Southern run event and a €4.5 million boost for local
economy.

4. Scope

Show case Limerick as European City of Sport with a world class running event for national and
international participants and spectators. Plan and deliver a marathon , half marathon , 10km, kids
fun run, exposition, celebration and clean up ensuring the safety of all participants and spectators.
Through a comprehensive marketing plan promoting the event have 12,000 participants registered
on race day. All entries will registered through on line registration on the event web site and
through postal option to the event office.

A Traffic management plan will be executed from 6.00 am to 4.00 pm on the event day 30 th of April
2023. The project will commence on June 1st 2023 and end on May 30th 2023.
 5. Relevant High Level Assumptions

The event will go ahead as planned and weather will not interfere to cause cancellation.

The gardai, fire service and HSE will support the event.

All permits and licenses will be permitted for the event.

Sufficient numbers for volunteer team to marshal routes safely for participants and public will be
available on event day.

European Union funding of €50,000 is delivered at the start of Project on June1st 2023.

6. An Appropriate Value – Time / Cost Tolerance

The budget and operational costs will be funded by the European Union, Corporate Sponsorship ,
Private investment and Registration fees.

There will be a 5 % time / Cost Tolerance

7. Stakeholders

General Public

Limerick City & County Council

Garda Siochana

HSE

Limerick Sports Partnership

Bus Eireann

Limerick City Fire Brigade

Corporate Sponsors - Johnson & Johnson

Media – Irish Independent , Live 95FM , Limerick Leader

Volunteer Stewards

European Union
 8. High Level Deliverables

The races that all participants have entered start on time as per schedule on the event day.

The Goody bag and race number for each participant is ready for collection at the Exposition.

The course is measured and marked correctly and all safety barriers are installed.

Traffic management system runs smoothly to allow residents move freely through event day.

T-shirt and Medals are presented to all participants at the finish line of the race.

12,00 participants will generate €500,000 income in registration fee and 4,000 bed nights will be
generated in local hospitality industry by The Great Southern Run.

9. Project Approach

The event is a public private partnership and project team will based in a Limerick city office to
project manage the event.

Research will be carried out observing similar events in Ireland and Europe such as The Dublin City
marathon and The Great Northern Run in England.

A best in class website will be delivered and over 20 media channels used to market the event.

Work will be outsourced to deliver the project on schedule such as the installation of all safety
barriers for the event day.

Weekly meetings will take place to update all core project team members.