The 32-county challenge in aid of Irish Autism Action comes to an end next Monday, August 2, in Mullingar. The two runners, Ken Whitelaw and Gerry Duffy, will be joined by Westmeath native Michael O’Leary on the final leg of their journey.
The final 32-county challenge will start at Town Park, Mullingar at 10am on Monday and will finish at Town Park later in the day. Ken and Gerry are hoping the whole county will get behind them for their final marathon.
Kevin Whelan, chief executive officer of Irish Autism Action, said: “We are thrilled with the response we’ve had so far. Each county has been very supportive and Ken and Gerry have done their best to make the 32 county challenge a success. It hasn’t been easy for either of them and we hope that the people of Westmeath come out and support them on the final leg of the marathon on Monday.”
Ken and Gerry have run 26.2 miles every day in each of the counties and have been joined by locals in every town along with celebrities such as Keith Barry, Colm ‘Gooch’ Cooper, Kathryn Thomas, and, now, Michael O’Leary. By Monday, they will have run over 830 miles altogether since they started on July 2.
Refreshments will be served in the Annebrook House Hotel in Mullingar after the marathon and all are welcome.
If you cannot make it along on the day, you can support the 32 County Marathons Challenge in Westmeath by text message by texting Marathon followed by your county to 57802 (eg Marathon Westmeath ). Text messages cost €2 including VAT. All proceeds go to Irish Autism Action.
With the help of BPI Telecom and Expert Group, Irish Autism Action is asking people to donate their old mobile phones to raise money and awareness of autism in Ireland. By recycling them at your local Expert store at Mullingar Business Park you can help be a voice for those who have none.
Irish Autism Action would like to thank their sponsors - Expert at Mullingar Business Park, Marks & Spencer who have a store at Fairgreen Mullingar, Just Mobile, and Lagan Tile.
See www.32 marathons.com for more information on the 32 County Challenge or visit www. autismireland.ie
