With only a week to go until the Enniskillen Spooktacular 5K run returns to the town, runners are fine-tuning their training sessions and perfecting their Hallowe’en costumes for the big event on Friday, October 28.

Among the runners getting ready for the evening’s seasonal celebration is the manager of the Enniskillen branch of Murdock Builders Merchants, Ben Millar.

Although an experienced runner, Ben is going to sample the unique Hallowe’en atmosphere of the Spooktacular for the first time, as he takes on the scenic 5K route around the town.

“This is the first time I have been involved, and that is why I am so excited about it,” he said. “I have done plenty of other runs in the past, but this is my first time doing the 5K around the town. I have been training on the sly for it!

“I always have been doing 10Ks, but I would never have done a 5K. It would be out of my zone, in a sense, so it’s a challenge for me because it is a quicker run, but I can’t wait.

“It should be good fun. I was always a runner since I was at school. I wouldn’t be a competitive runner that has competed a thousand times, but I am looking forward to this one, because it is a unique run.”

Ben and Murdocks were delighted to be able to provide sponsorship for an event that has established itself as one of the annual town highlights since its inception more than 10 years ago.

“We are delighted to be part of it,” he admitted. “The running club approached us and we grabbed it with both hands. It is something we are delighted to be involved in because of the community spirit that is behind it all.

“It’s a very unique run. Not only does it involve all ages and abilities, but it is the fact that it is a night-time run, its on an island, and it is a fun run as well as getting a high standard of competition.

“There is an excitement and a buzz about it, and anyone I speak to about it seems to be really looking forward to it.”

The event has become an important fixture in the calendar of local runners of all abilities, from the serious athlete to the fun runners and walkers, but Ben, from Derrygonnelly, is taking the competitive element of the run seriously and hoping to draw on his running experience to post a respectable time over the course, although he was not revealing the 5K time he was aiming for.

“I kind of have a target.” he acknowledged.

“I have a fair idea of my abilities in it, but I do have a strategy.

“I have a target in my head but whether I perform on the night is another thing. I’m afraid of witches and ghosts so I’m going to keep all of them behind me!”