THE RunAway Donegal Challenge (RDC), a sporting umbrella comprising 12 athletic events launched its Grand Prix sporting challenge on Tuesday at the Carrigart Hotel. The first of its kind on the Donegal athletic calendar, the RunAway Donegal Challenge combines 12 events, including running (5 and 10K), cycling, kayaking and swimming events, duathlons, triathlons, the Mooathon, and this year, the Donegal Danny McDaid Marathon, spread over the calendar year. Competitors wishing to participate in the Grand Prix challenge must complete a minimum of seven of the twelve events. A scoring system based on the number of competitors at each event will determine the winner in the various sporting categories.
The RunAway Donegal Challenge is promoted by Moving Mevagh Forward Committee and is led by their Chairman, Myles Gallagher.
Speaking at the launch, Myles said their aim was to highlight the breadth of sporting events already available in the County and bring them to a wider audience.
“We hope that the launch of the Grand Prix series will encourage a wider participation across the board and foster a culture of sporting excellence, whilst showcasing the outstanding natural ‘racetrack’ and stadium that is Donegal,” he said.
Double Olympian and ambassador of the Donegal Marathon, Danny McDaid, said he was delighted that the Donegal Marathon was returning after an absence of 31 years.
“I firmly believe that it is events such as these that will continue to inspire and encourage our athletes onto bigger and greater athletic platforms.”
The RDC starts its sporting calendar with the Glen Valley Duathlon on 19 April. Participants for this event, and indeed, for a number of the sporting fixtures can select from a choice of races, which might better suit their strengths or own athletic agenda/sporting challenge. Events are then programmed for throughout the year culminating in the Mulroy Bay Adventure Race on 4 October 2014.
Prizes for the Grand Prix are awarded in the following categories; Senior (men and women), Junior (men and women) and Master (men and women).
Details for all the individual races and the Grand Prix Challenge are available on the website www.runawaydonegal.ie.
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