Máire Allen to be remembered in Roscommon Community Challenge

The late Máire Allen is to be remembered as part of the forthcoming Roscommon Community Challenge.

The annual Roscommon Community Challenge will be held on Friday, March 1st, 2024 at 8pm. This year, the proceeds will benefit the Roscommon Special Olympics Club and the Roscommon Community Sports Park.

Participants have the option to walk, jog, or run either the 5K or 8K routes. Both routes will start at the Roscommon Community Sports Park, serving as the headquarters, and will be clearly marked and supervised by marshals along the way.

Máire passed away on September 19th. As well as a much loved wife, mother and friend, she was a volunteer with many local organisations, including Roscommon Special Olympics. Her passing left the club “silenced, crushed, and broken hearted”.

“Máire wasn’t just a volunteer or a coach, she was our friend, our confidante, a lady with great patience who picked us up when we were down and settled us if we got too high,” Roscommon Special Olympics said in a post on social media. “Her attitude was to have that shot and it doesn’t matter if it doesn’t go as planned, at least you tried. She made a hugely positive impact on our club and the lives of its members both athletes and volunteers.” The club added that Máire was a huge supporter of the Roscommon Community Challenge.

“She understood how it was so important to get people out exercising and chatting,” the group said.

It said that together with her husband Christy, she was always first to volunteer to marshal and make the sandwiches.

“This year we are going to miss her dreadfully,” the local group said. “I am pleased to announce that the last mile, ( Máire's Mile ) of our event will be dedicated to her memory.

“Máire's Mile will be an opportunity to pay our respects to Máire and to most importantly thank her for all she has done for us, we hope she knows how much she is missed and how very grateful we all are that she was in our lives.

“To honour Máire Allen's legacy, to remember all the good work she did in the area of special needs and disability, to support Roscommon Special Olympics, and simply to remember the wonderful woman that was Máire Allen, you can make a donation to Máire’s Memory Mile. Your contribution will help continue the thriving community that Máire was so passionate about.”

To participate in the event, please click here.