THE organisers of the 2020 Virtual RunDonegal Women’s 5K Run/Walk are hoping to gain a record 1,000 entries this month.

There will be no actual race on Sunday, August 23rd, but women will be taking to their local roads to join the event.

Given that phase four of the roadmap to reopening the country has been delayed, the organisers felt the best thing to do in the interest of health and safety was not to have any form of a gathering on what would have been race day.

Grace Boyle, race director, said : “The decision made by the Cabinet on Tuesday night that no more that 200 would be allowed to gather for outdoor events means that there will be no actual event on Sunday, August 23rd.

“So, our message to the 820 people who have registered for this year’s virtual event is to keep training, keep getting out and get the 5k distance done over the second last weekend of August with friends, family or training partners,” Grace commented.

“It’s somewhat ironic that we have managed to attract a record entry of over 800, and yet there is going to be no actual race this year.

“We are still accepting entries and are hoping to have a late surge over the next fortnight. It would be great if we could reach the 1,000 mark this year.”

The proceeds of the annual fundraising event will go to the Brid Carr Fund set up in memory of Brid Carr from Glencolmcille to fund ovarian cancer research.

On Saturday, family and friends of Bríd Carr kicked off the 2020 Virtual RunDonegal Women’s 5K by holding the first run/walk in Malinmore, Glencolmcille – Bríd’s birthplace.

“Around 40 took part and it went really well. It was a fitting way to start this year’s event,” Grace said.

To register online for the 2020 Virtual RunDonegal 5K Run/Walk, log on to: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/rundonegal-womens-5k-2020-tickets-91854484235

To make a donation to the Brid Carr Fund, log on to: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Bridcarrfund