SEAN TO GO THE EXTRA 50 MILES!
A Drogheda man who has twice beaten cancer will lead the charge for this year’s Moylagh 50 Mile Challenge.
This will be the sixth year of the event, which is run in support of cancer patients.
Sean Ó’Riain from Drogheda will join hundreds of participants who will test their levels of endurance for the sixth annual event in support of cancer patients on June 10th.
Registration is open at www.50milechallenge.com and 80% of funds raised are in aid of the Irish Cancer Society, and 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 Cavan and Westmeath.
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.
Drogheda native Seán, who now lives in Cavan, is preparing to tackle the entire 50 miles this year and is encouraging members of the public 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.
He said: ‘It has been an honour for me to have been involved in the Moylagh 50 Mile Challenge for the last four years.’
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 4 times.
‘ The first time I didn’t 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 was so important to me in gaining confidence again after my operation.’