COOLEYNEWS
GLENMORE AC REMAINED ACTIVE THROUGHOUT YEAR
Glenmore AC would like to thank all their members for their help and support, through what was a very challenging year, and wish everyone a happy and healthy new year.
After hosting a very successful cross country event, the Kearney and McBride cups, in the beautiful surroundings of Bellurgan Park on February 16th, Glenmore AC like all other sports clubs in the country found itself in lockdown due to the Covid pandemic that gripped the world.
With their facilities at Bush closed and no training or competitions to attend, the club found itself in the difficult position of trying to keep its members active during those challenging times. But with the never give up attitude of the club, members got their heads together and organised a series of events and challenges to keep its members active during lockdown. With the use of club app’s a number of different challenges were set up. Juveniles were pitted against seniors to see who could accumulate the most km s over a period of time. Another challenge saw senior ladies taking on senior men, and a quiz ‘how well do you know your club’ was run over a number of days, all of which got members active and created a great buzz throughout the club. All challenges were carried out following Covid restrictions.
The annual Glenmore 10mile Challenge which is held in June also fell victim to the pandemic. Proceeds of this annual event go to the Maria Goretti foundation, and knowing how important these funds are to the centre, the spirit of the club once again came through. Club members came together and organised the challenge as a virtual 24hr run, where senior athletes set off in pairs every hour for the 24hr period. This was something that got great response and even got runners from other clubs taking part. A fundraising page was set up for donations with over €3,000 being raised.
With the restrictions easing somewhat, some competitions were allowed to go ahead. The club hosted the Louth juvenile track and field championships at Bush in August. It was great to see juveniles having some competition, in what was turning into a very difficult year. Seniors got their day too when the Louth novice cross country championship got the go ahead in October with a juvenile programme also. Unfortunately that’s as good as it got and with another lockdown in place all competitions were cancelled.
Once again club members got their thinking caps on and put together the November challenge for seniors, juveniles and walkers where each group were set targets for kms covered in the month. A fundraising page was set up with donations in aid of SOSAD. And to add a bit of humour to the event, senior men were asked to grow a tash for the month of November.
Glenmore AC is very conscious of the role it can play in the health and well being of the community and each year Bush4mation has given the wider community an opportunity to get active and try something new in the weeks after Xmas. The club feel especially after the year we’ve had, that Bush4mation is an important programme to offer our community.
The club kickstarts the New Year with their 4 week programme beginning on Monday January 4. Outdoor activities include 0-5k on the track, hill walking, S. & C., food demos, heritage tours, flower demo etc. Virtual classes include zumba, Aero pilates, mindfulness, yoga, beginners crochet, book club, health talks, L.I.F.T. (leading Ireland’s future together), AB fitness, Finca skincare etc. All Covid 19 regulations will be adhered to. Each year this event has given the wider community an opportunity to get active and try something new in the weeks after Christmas.
In spite of all the challenges that face us at the moment, the club will continue to be creative and help all it’s members and wider community stay active in mind and body.