Donegal women took Gartan by storm last weekend in their first-ever Women’s Only Multi-Sport Adventure Challenge.

Donegal Sports Partnership along with sponsors Team Donegal Oil, founded by Arthur McMahon from Donegal Oil Company held the first ever to be held in Donegal, Women’s Only Multi-Sport Adventure Challenge which took place at Gartan Outdoor Education and Training Centre on Saturday 29th April last.

This event was aimed to encourage participation in outdoor activities for all age groups and fitness abilities, throughout Donegal. 200+ women registered to take part, with the majority having never done anything like this in their lives before.

This event was enjoyed by absolutely everyone who took part and the feedback has been incredibly positive. Some of the comments from the participants are : “What a fantastic event”, “Thanks for a great day and a challenge that so many people like myself never would have gotten the opportunity to do if it wasn’t for this event”, “ You have all been so helpful and supportive”, “ When you all gather around the table to organise the next event please offer my sincere thanks to all those people involved”, “We cannot wait for the next one”, “ The positive energy, the encouragement and the co-ordination was fantastic”, and that was only to mention a few that was taken from their feedback.

The women’s only event, included, running , cycling and Kayaking

Women’s only event, included, running , cycling and Kayaking

Ciara McVeigh Lunn leads the participants in the Women’s Only Multi-Sport Adventure Challenge

Since Covid and all the lockdowns we have endured over the past few years, Team Donegal Oil and Donegal Sports Partnership were approached by a large number of women who would love to participate in a fun event that would get them back out training or even just to start doing some training and also have something to look forward to participating in with their friends and work colleagues. After several discussions between Myles Sweeney of Donegal Sports Partnership, Arthur McMahon, Donegal Oil Company, Rory Kennedy. Grace Ann McGarvey and Shaun Stewart and Gartan Outdoor Education and Training Centre, this event was finally brought to fruition. Shaun Stewart, the Course Director, designed the route that consisted of a 5km Walk/Jog/Run, 20km Cycle and a 1km Kayak.

The event sponsor, Arthur McMahon, Donegal Oil Company commented, “One of the ways we can all feel better is by getting a bit of exercise. We’re not talking about mad stuff here, just getting out in the fresh air and getting the blood pumping a bit. It really can do wonders if you’re feeling a bit blue, and that is what this event was all about. It got over 200 ladies from around the county out doing exercise in the fresh air and then for them to complete an adventure race like this was the icing on the cake for them. It was just amazing to see the positivity and the energy at Gartan last Saturday morning, truly amazing and the support they got from our volunteers and their friends and family was amazing, some commented that they would love to do it again soon. We will be organising another one next year and dates will be discussed and hopefully released in the coming months.” 

Photo: Stevie Toye Logopix

Photo: Stevie Toye Logopix

Photo: Stevie Toye Logopix

Donegal Sports Partnership (DSP) Co-ordinator Myles Sweeney added “Sports events which provide opportunities for women to participate are a key focus of Sport Ireland and the Donegal Sports Partnership and forms part of the National Women in Sport strategy. We are delighted to partner with Team Donegal Oil for this event and our team are delighted to have supported as many women as possible that are taking part in what was a fun event at Gartan Outdoor Education and Training Centre.”

Every single cent raised from Registration Entry fees and donations will go directly to two Donegal Women’s Charities, Donegal Women’s Centre and Donegal Women’s Domestic Violence Service – DWDVS. 

Women’s only event, included, running , cycling and Kayaking