Final countdown for Roscommon Community Challenge
Ali May Doolan, Hannah Kilroe, and Alex Doolan at the launch of the training programme for the forthcoming Roscommon Community Challenge. The two day event begins on Friday March 7th.
The final countdown is on for the 2025 Roscommon Community Challenge.
There is huge interest in this year’s two-day event, which is taking place on Friday evening, March 7th, with the choice of a 5km or 8km walk or run. The challenge continues on Saturday, March 8th, with a 70km leisurely cycle around Roscommon and East Galway.
Roscommon Special Olympics and Roscommon Sports Park are this year’s chosen charities.
This community event is for everyone — walkers, runners, joggers and cyclists of all abilities. If previous Challenges are anything to go by alongside the level of interest in this year’s one so far, organisers are predicting that this could be the biggest one yet.
There has been a huge response from members of the public who signed up for the associated training plan — 130 people joined in on the first night of the year. Local cycling clubs are also using this spin as their first event of the 2025 season.
The 5k or 8k walk/run on Friday commences from Roscommon Community Sports Park at 8 p.m. sharp. Participants are encouraged to arrive early as parking will be at a premium. It will also give them the chance to take part in the lively pre-race warm up, which will be led by Liam Hannon, personal trainer.
Participants will return to the sports park afterwards for some delicious post-event treats. DJ Ashe will belt out the tunes afterwards.
Just like last year, the final mile of this run will be dedicated to the memory of the late Maire Allen — a lady synonymous with Roscommon Special Olympics and indeed many other voluntary groups. Maire passed away in September 2023 but her legacy and good work in the area of special needs and disability will never be forgotten.
On Saturday, March 8th, the leisurely cycle will depart from the sports park at 9 a.m.. The cycle consists of 70km of mainly flat road that will see the entourage tour the general Roscommon/East Galway area with a refreshment stop in Kilkerrin. Then it’s back to the clubhouse where participants can meet up for some fabulous post-cycle food, thanks to Paddy Paella.
Later that evening, there will be a post-event wind down in Foxe’s Pub, Roscommon Town.
Participants for both days are encouraged to register in advance on Eventbrite/Roscommon Community Challenge.
Without doubt, none of this would be possible without the encouragement and professionalism received from Roscommon Sports Partnership. Organisers are extremely grateful to CEO Noel Feeley and his staff — David Brady, Atalia Tavares, John Joe Nally and Noelle Carling. A very special word of gratitude to Martin Hannon in the office.
Check out the Roscommon Community Challenge social media channels for further information. Anyone with queries should contact Jacqueline McCormack on 086 1721181
