Were they making a run for it or just running?
The inmates at Fort Mitchel prison on Spike Island in Cork Harbour decided some weeks ago to help the Chernobyl Children's Project in Cork by doing a charity run.
They trained for 10 weeks so as to be fit enough for the 10 km run, which is held in Ballycotton each year and which this year was run in aid of the project.
The race went ahead on March 12th, but for some inexplicable reason, the prison authorities were not disposed towards opening the gates and allowing the inmates to participate in the open road race.
However, prison officers from Spike Island did take part and the funds they raised will go to the project too.
Instead, yesterday the prisoners ran the 10 km inside the prison walls, but, in a spirit of togetherness, the prison officers ran with them, as did Ms Adi Roche, director of the Chernobyl Children's Project.
Recently Ms Roche addressed the education unit at the prison and spoke to the inmates about her work for the children's project. She asked for their support and for any assistance they could give to the next aid convoy, which will be departing on April 6th for Belarus.
The prisoners readily agreed to give their support and went into training. They would have preferred to join the Ballycotton race outside the prison walls, but the 15 inmates were told this was not possible.
It's not clear yet how much money they will raise for the project, but Ms Roche said she was extremely impressed by the effort.