Mullingar and Roscommon are buzzing with excitement as final preparations are put in place for the fifth annual Darkness into Light 5km dawn walk/run.
With only days to go, record numbers have already signed up for Pieta House’s Darkness into Light events this Saturday, as the suicide charity gears up for what looks to be the biggest turnout ever for the event.
Local events are taking place in Mullingar, starting at 4am at Belvedere House and Gardens, and in Roscommon from Hyde Park, also kicking off at 4am.
Now in its fifth year, and taking place simultaneously in 20 locations nationwide on the morning of Saturday May 11, Darkness into Light is being supported for the first time this year by Electric Ireland.
This unique event begins in darkness at 4am on Saturday morning as thousands of people gather at locations across Ireland and walk or run a 5km route as dawn is breaking. Pieta House are asking people to bring glow sticks or torches to guide the way at the beginning of the walk.
This year’s turnout looks set to easily top last year’s record number of 15,000 participants.
“The buzz this year is incredible. I’ve just finished up a whistle-stop tour of the country where I helped launch Darkness into Light in each of the 20 locations. It was great to meet all of our organising committees and get a sense of the excitement that’s building in each town,” said Joan Freeman, founder and CEO of Pieta House.
This year’s Darkness into Light has attracted a whole new wave of support from well-known personalities around the country. Rugby hero Brian O’Driscoll, rockers Aslan, Oscar-nominated actor Stephen Rea, the stars of RTE’s Love/Hate, and the residents of Fair City have all pledged their support.
Registration for Darkness into Light is available online at dil.pieta.ie Entry costs €25 with reduced rates for groups, families, students, OAPs, and jobseekers.
