Communities to test endurance at Moylagh 50-Mile Challenge

Two-time cancer survivor Seán Ó Riain will kick off this year’s Moylagh 50-Mile Challenge on Saturday June 10 as he joins hundreds of other participants who will test their levels of endurance for the sixth annual event in support of cancer patients.

Registration is open at 50milechallenge.com and 80 per cent of funds raised are in aid of the Irish Cancer Society – the remainder supports the work of LARCC Cancer Support.

The challenge inherits its name from an endurance test first handed down by John F Kennedy to the military to cover 50 miles on foot within 20 hours.

This year’s route will allow walkers to take in 50 miles of striking landscape starting in Moylagh (Dromone), Oldcastle, County Meath, and going through counties Westmeath and Cavan.

Participants can walk as much or as little of the route as they want, and food and water stops are provided along the course by volunteers.

Last year participants ranged in age from 18 to 70 and more than 200 of the 700 participants completed the entire course.

Drogheda native Seán, who now lives in Cavan, is preparing to tackle the entire 50 miles this year and is encouraging others to join him.

Sean had his first experience with cancer when he was diagnosed with a malignant melanoma at the age of 27. The 57-year-old received his second cancer diagnosis six years ago when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.

The illness was diagnosed early and the father of two underwent a radical prostatectomy and has since got the all clear.

“It has been an honour for me to have been involved in the Moylagh 50-Mile Challenge for the last four years,” said Seán.

“Not only has it given me a chance to contribute to the ongoing and increasingly successful fight against cancer, but most importantly it has also introduced me to a healthy way of life.

“I have undertaken the challenge four times. The first time I didn’t finish it but I was absolutely delighted to have managed to walk 38 miles.

“The last three times I did it I finished it and each time one hour quicker than the last.

“The challenge has been an indicator for me as to my ongoing progress in reaching a healthy lifestyle, and four years ago the training and progress were so important to me in gaining confidence again after my operation.

“It is one of the biggest community participation charity events every year in Ireland and every year I am nearly brought to tears when I see all the families and communities that come out to help and give their time and resources tirelessly to support these great charities.”

This year members of the Irish Defence Forces will be taking part in full military attire, and they are confident that they can complete the challenge.

Among them is physical training instructor Eamonn Fitzsimons, who is completing the challenge in memory of his mother Sarah, who died from cancer.

The Dromone local walked the first challenge in 2012 with his mother who was fighting cancer at the time.

Eamonn said: “Without knowing it at the time, it was the last June I would ever spend with my mother and the last ever event I would ever attend with her. She was determined to take part in what to her was a unique event in the history of the parish.”

Sarah passed away in early 2013 and Eamonn has continued to walk in her memory. Each year the Sarah Sadie Fitzsimons Memorial Trophy is awarded to the person who raises the most funds for the two charities.

Eamonn’s training with the Defence Forces in the Lebanon have served him well, but for him the event is not just about reaching the finish line, it’s about raising awareness of cancer and helping to support the growing number of people receiving a cancer diagnosis in Ireland.

“There is not a single family in all our parishes or a community in all of Ireland not effected by cancer in some way or another, and the list will only be getting longer for the foreseeable future,” said Eamonn.

“There are no losers in the Moylagh 50-Mile Challenge, just winners who raise awareness and funds to help people with cancer.”

Sign up at 50milechallenge.com or see 50milechallenge on Facebook for more.

To donate food, water or any other supplies please email: info@50milechallenge.com.