Gartan will be buzzing with activity this Saturday as Donegal Sports Partnership along with sponsors Team Donegal Oil will host the second Women’s Only Multi-Sport Adventure Challenge at Gartan Outdoor Education and Training Centre.
This event is aimed to encourage participation in outdoor activities for all age groups and fitness abilities for everyone, throughout Donegal.
More than 250 women have registered to take part in the charity event on April 27th, with the majority having never done anything like this in their lives before. A 4km Walk/Jog/Run, 20km Cycle and a 1km Kayak lie in store for the competitors in the non-timed event that is focused on the joy of taking part.
Arthur McMahon, Managing Director of Donegal Oil and sponsor of the event said: “After a hugely successful first event last year, we were approached again by a large number of women in the county who participated and to get them back out training and have something to look forward to with their friends and work colleagues.
“After several discussions with Myles Sweeney of Donegal Sports Partnership, Rory Kennedy. Grace Ann McGarvey and Shaun Stewart and Gartan Outdoor Education and Training Centre, we were delighted that we could again host the event again this year.
“Shaun Stewart is our Course Director and he has designed the route that will consist of a 4km Walk/Jog/Run, 20km Cycle and a 1km Kayak.
“The ladies who completed the event last year gave us feedback that they really enjoyed this un chipped event and the fact that they completed the event, many for the first time ever gave them a sense of achievement they never felt possible.
“Hence once we opened registration, we couldn’t believe that over 250 women signed up in the first week. 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 for your head. Every single one of these ladies are amazing.”
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 the National Women in Sport strategy. We are delighted to partner with Team Donegal Oil for this event this Saturday April 27th again this year and and our team are look forward to supporting as many women as possible that are taking part in what will be another fun event at Gartan Outdoor Education and Training Centre.”
All money 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. Both charities were delighted to benefit from last year’s event and they were able to provide hours of additional counselling services to women in both centres.
The registration starts at the Boathouse at Gartan from 8-9am and the first wave of participants will leave at 10am. It is anticipated that the last wave will be completed by 1pm. All spectators are welcome to come along and cheer the ladies on.
Details of the parking restrictions and of the event will be posted on https://www.facebook.com/TeamDonegalOilAdventureChallenge, so keep an eye out!
