JFK’s 50 Mile Challenge Event Returns Bigger & Better to Ireland in aid of the Irish Cancer Society

Moylagh will take on cancer once again with the Moylagh 50 Mile Challenge which has now launched for 2015. The event, which will take place on the 6th of June, will see hundreds of participants set off at 6am on a fantastic walk around Counties Meath, Cavan and Westmeath. The challenge, which raises funds for the Irish Cancer Society and LARCC Cancer Support Centre, has raised over €170K to date to support the provision of vital services for cancer patients and their families.

The Moylagh 50 Mile Challenge inherits its name from an endurance test handed down by John F Kennedy to the military in the 1960s to cover 50 miles on foot within 20 hours. The first JFK 50 Miles Public Event was first held in 1963 as part of a number of similar 50 mile events held around the country as President Kennedy strived to bring the country back to peak physical fitness. The event finally made its way to Ireland four years ago and has being growing here ever since.

This year’s route will allow walkers to take in 50 miles of striking landscape incorporating towns and localities such as Oldcastle, Ballinacree, Fore and Dromone. Places of interest along the trek include Moylagh Castle, dating back to 1470, Loughcrew Cairns which features approximately 32 passage tombs which are 5000 years old, Fore abbey a Christian monastery settlement dating back to 640AD and a number of lakes such as Lough Sheelin, Lough Lane and Lough Bane, which runs between the border of two counties Meath and Westmeath. Also along the route is the magical Mullaghmeen Forest filled with tranquility to revitalize any tired minds and bodies.

Date: Saturday, June 6th 2015                                                                                                                                                                                               Time: On-Site for 5:15am | Starting at 6am

Funds raised from the Moylagh JFK 50 Mile Challenge will go towards supporting the Irish Cancer Society’s provision of vital services for cancer patients and their families. These include the Cancer Information Service incorporating the National Cancer Helpline and 12 Daffodil Centres in hospitals across the country, Care to Drive which is a free transport services bringing patients to and from their treatment and the Night Nursing Service which provides care for patients who are at the end of their cancer journey in their own homes through the night.

Gerry McDonnell of the 50 Mile Challenge Committee said: “This is our 4th year running the 50 mile challenge, we are very proud to host and run this fantastic event. To date we have raised over €170k for cancer services in Ireland. Now a national event, this challenge is for all walks of life, young, old, fit and unfit. Walk as much or as little as you can - one, five, 30 or the whole 50 miles! With registrations flying in, we are gearing up for a bigger and better walk this year. We pride ourselves on our community spirit. – We have large support from the different communities involved meaning walkers can pass through, supported and stewarded along the way with many homes opening their doors, providing refreshment and facilities.

The walk is attracting support from all corners of the country and abroad. It is an amazing, memorable day and it is inevitable that at some point along the way, there will be a life changing moment for you. The people you meet, the stories they tell, your personal goals achieved. You will discover people with different reasons for doing the walk. Some have lost a loved one to cancer, some have won a personal fight with cancer and many still fighting the battle with cancer.

A 50 mile walk starts with one single step, let’s do it! Register today on 50milechallenge.com and join us to fight cancer”

John McCormack, CEO of the Irish Cancer Society said: “We are delighted to see the Moylagh JFK 50 Mile Challenge return for the fourth year running. From its military roots in the 1960s in America, the event has now spread to Ireland where it has been taken on by the locals of Moylagh to become a big supporter of the Irish Cancer Society. As an independent charity, receiving less than five per cent Government funding, the Society relies heavily on initiatives such as this help us in the provisional of vital services for cancer patients and in the funding of our collaborative cancer research work. At the Irish Cancer Society, we won’t give up until cancer does and we are now calling on the public to support the Moylagh JFK 50 Mile Challenge - whether you do five miles or the full fifty miles, join in and help us to support cancer patients at every stage of their journey.”

Registrations are now open for the Moylagh 50 Mile Challenge. Visit www.50milechallenge.com to register or for further information.