Moylagh JFK 50-Mile aims to pass €1m in funds raised this year

The Moylagh JFK 50-Mile Challenge 2021 is aiming to pass a major milestone in its 10th year – €1m raised to help fund cancer research.

The total raised in the nine years of the event so far is more than €790,000, and last year alone, a virtual version (because of Covid-19), more than €50,000 was added to the overall figure.

This year the launch event, a 5k walk on Sunday April 4, will be virtual as pandemic limits are still in place, but the organisers are hoping that restrictions will be lifted in time for the main event on Saturday August 7.

There will also be a virtual event for anyone abroad or who cannot travel on that day.

The Moylagh JFK 50-Mile Challenge annual walk and run passes through three counties – Westmeath, Meath and Cavan.

It is now the biggest charity 50-mile walking challenges in the world; it beat the one in the US by more than 200 people in 2019.

Of the 1,057 who took part in 2019, 332 made it to the finish line, many of them having completed 50 miles on foot for the first time. Julie McLoughlan was the first woman back and John McManus the first man.

Event organisers say they are looking forward to getting the challenge back to Moylagh.

They have found that the event has touched hearts around the country, and all 32 counties have been represented, along with participants from all over the world.

The challenge won the Meath Business and Tourism award in 2018 for Best Not For Profit and Community Spirit event.

The challenge is to complete 50 miles in under 20 hours, though people can do as much or as little as they like, as every mile makes a difference to raising funds.

Gerry McDonnell, on behalf of the organisers, said: “We would like to thank every walker and runner who took part last year in the virtual challenge – raising €50k in a pandemic year is amazing.

“We are looking forward to having the mix of virtual and, hopefully, with government guidelines, a live challenge this year.

“We are proud of the community of Moylagh and surrounding parishes and townlands – all along the route, local people come out to help and feed the walkers.

"The communities are looking forward to welcoming back participants back to the area, and if restrictions are still in place, we will invite all to join the virtual challenge.”

One hundred per cent of the money raised goes to cancer services in Ireland: 80pc of it to the Irish Cancer Society, 10pc to LARCC in Westmeath, and 10pc to palliative care.

Most of the running costs are sponsored and donated, and the committee ask if any business wants to get involved to make contact via info@50milechallenge.com.

Businesses and other groups have also found that the event is a great team building and bonding exercise, and more and more firms are taking part.

Johnny Guirke, chairman, said: “We would like to thank all the businesses that took over the years and invite them back again for 2021.

"The committee would also like to sincerely thank everyone who has donated to the running of the event or sponsored a piece of equipment used in the event.

"Without this, we would not be able to give 100% of the funds to these much-needed cancer services.”

The Moylagh JFK 50-Mile Challenge returns on August 7, 2021 and registration is now open.

More on the website: 50milechallenge.com.