Walk and run in the new year as Leitrim GAA & LGFA launch 50 Miles in January Challenge

Leitrim people all over the world are being urged to run and walk in the new year with the return of the extremely popular Leitrim GAA & LGFA 50 Miles in January fundraiser which was launched last Thursday in the Carrick Business Campus.

The fundraiser returns for 2026 after a year’s hiatus to great acclaim as the 50 Miles in January Challenge has almost become a cultural event for Leitrim people all over the world, connecting them via the Challenge’s Social Media pages in support of Leitrim GAA & LGFA teams as well as losing the Christmas pounds.

With a strong partnership with Leitrim County Council through Leitrim Tourism and the Carrick Business Campus, the Challenge also features the must have Leitrim 50 Miles in January Challenge Hat which has proved extremely popular with the county’s supporters over the past four campaigns.

A new initiative this year will spotlight the county’s scenic areas, with walkers and runners encouraged to share photos, and each week a dedicated panel will select the most captivating submissions, with prizes on offer for the entries.

The 50-mile challenge is also supported by a range of ambassadors from different areas of Leitrim, including Ballinamore's Martha Gilheaney who returned from Dublin and has built a large online following documenting her farmhouse renovation and rural lifestyle; Dara Mazina, who relocated from Ukraine, highlights Leitrim’s welcoming community and her volunteer work with Carrick Tidy Towns.

LEITRIM STARS STRESS THE IMPORTANCE OF 50 MILES IN JANUARY CHALLENGE

The ambassadors  include Alison Moffatt,  with family roots in Leitrim, who co-founded Drumhierney Woodland Hideaway, an award-winning eco-tourism business as well as former Dromahair player Robbie Cunningham who is the lead vocalist of Amble, an Irish folk trio now touring with Hozier.

Leitrim footballers Barry McNulty, recently announced as UCD’s captain for the Sigerson Cup, and Rachel McIntyre are  among the events’ ambassadors.

Leitrim GAA County Board Chairman Declan Bohan welcomed the return of the Challenge, noting how many had missed it in 2025! “We did stressed last year when we went with the Quid Games that we were parking the 50 Mile Challenge and giving it a rest, if you like, and just trying something different for a year.

“The 50 Mile Challenge started in January of 2021 and ran through four different versions and was very well received, it was a big hit. At the time it started, we were in the middle of a lockdown and all that added a certain amount of context to it. But that having been said, it has been very popular.

“There were a lot of people last year who remarked that they were disappointed that the 50 Mile Challenge had gone because they were looking forward to it and so it's back again and with the help of God it'll go well and raise much needed funds for both Leitrim GAA and Leitrim LGFA.”

Stressing that there is a 50-50 split between Leitrim GAA and Leitrim LGFA, Declan highlighted the importance of the Challenge to keeping Leitrim teams on the road: “It's keeping our heads above water I suppose and being in a position to compete demands funding and the cost of everything is going up. 

“Standards are driven up all the time, we're dealing with a whole different version of team preparation than we would have been 10 years ago or 20 years ago certainly and you would be aware that serious clubs are now at a serious level of preparation so, I suppose, in order to compete and to keep up we have to try to do the best we can to  prepare our teams as best possibly can and that costs money, be it the LGFA or be it Leitrim GAA.”

The funds raised make a big difference down the line for Leitrim underage teams: “You don't invent a Leitrim Senior team overnight, it doesn't just happen just because you appoint a team manager and gather a few fellas together - the raw material has to be there and that starts at academy levels, it starts, in essence, in the clubs I suppose.

“We feed off what the clubs do but we're expected to do much more with the players and everything in relation to that, the costs increase as you go further and further and further up the line and there's no free lunches anymore. We won't be able to put our best foot forward unless we raise sufficient funds. This is our effort for January in order to bridge that gap so a big call out to Leitrim people to answer the call as they have done in the past.”

Declan also stressed the importance of Leitrim County Council’s involvement in the 50 Miles in January Challenge: “We're delighted obviously yet again to be in partnership with Leitrim County Council on this venture and they've been a great assistance to us and it's a very good partnership. 

WALK, RUN AND CONNECT WITH LEITRIM GAA & LGFA 50 MILES IN JANUARY CHALLENGE

“Obviously it's Leitrim GAA and it's Leitrim LGFA and it's sporting and it's county teams and all those things but there's an awful lot more that happens around Leitrim that goes way beyond sport. From our point of view, there is an emphasis on the sporting aspect but we'd be inviting people from a whole Leitrim point of view to just join in. 

“We like to say that Leitrim, and all that goes with it, is a lovely place to live and it has an awful lot going for it and through our promotion of this here we'd be in essence doing our best to promote Leitrim as a good place to be.”

Leitrim businesses and those with Leitrim connections across Ireland and abroad are being invited to become Platinum (€1,500), Gold (€1,000), or Silver (€500) sponsors.

Those who wish to register can do so online on their IDonate page, and participants will be invited to join the official Facebook Group and Strava Club, fostering an online community of Leitrim enthusiasts.