Breffni county ready for the challenge
The Breffni Three Province Challenge takes place this Saturday, August 5, in Arva.
The event, which features a series of cycles and runs that vary in distance from 5km to 100km, aims to raise money for three cancer charities - The Friends of St Luke's Dublin, National Breast Cancer Research Institute (NBCRI) in Galway, and Cavan/Monaghan Cancer Homecare Association.
In its 22-year history, the event has raised over €1 million for charity, and organiser Philip Brady said that, while the event has changed since its inception, it has gone from strength to strength over the years.
“The first time we did the event was in 2001 when we cycled from the Phoenix Park in Dublin to Arva with 55 cyclists and we raised €50,000. The following year we organised a GAA challenge with Ulster Connacht v Leinster Munster, featuring former county players, including Pat Spillane. We then organised runs from Cavan to Arva, and Ballinagh to Arva, where people made their way by any means possible, whether it was a bike, a go kart or even horseback,” he recalled of the early days of the fundraising drive. The modern version of the event features five routes as Philip explains.
"For the running section, there is a half marathon, 10km, and well as a 5km, which is more manageable and done by families, for people wanting a chat, as well as a 100km and 30km cycle, which go through different counties and provinces.”
He says huge crowds are expected to attend, from distances near and far.
“We have over 800 participants taking part, representation from each of the 32 counties. A lot of people take their holidays in the region around this time," he continued.
Philip also paid tribute to the countless volunteers who help organise and steward the event.
“It takes a lot of people, lots of organisation to run the event. We have to organise things such as logistics, the planning of the route, insurance, food, support vehicles as well as signs for both advertising the event and marking the distance on the course. We’re blessed that we have so many local people who are willing to support us.”
For more information or to register, click here