Dust off your walking shoes for the 50 Miles in January Challenge

The turkey has been well and truly eaten at this stage and thoughts are inevitably turning to the notion of a fitness blitz to start the new year. So why not join up with the 50 Miles in January Challenge and help aid Leitrim GAA and Leitrim LGFA in the process.

The incredibly popular fundraising event, now in its third year, has been a roaring success with Leitrim people all over the globe, from Auckland to Arizona, Eslin to Edinburgh, New York to Dublin and everywhere in between really rowing in behind the unique fundraising event that helps participants boost their fitness while also raising vital funds for Leitrim GAA and Leitrim LGFA.

One week to in voting for Leitrim Observer Men's & Ladies Club Teams of 2022

Voting closes at 5 pm on Wednesday January 4, 2023 - go to www.leitrimobserver.ie to register your vote for the best club players of 2022 in Leitrim

The idea behind the challenge is easy - walk, run or cycle 50 miles in January, whatever suits you best, and raise some sponsorship from family and friends. It is as simple as stepping out the door and clocking up your miles and all you have to do is sign up via the Leitrim GAA website.

You can sign up to the Challenge HERE - it really is that simple!

But there is also another side to the challenge that has connected Leitrim people all over the world and that is through the 50 Miles in January Facebook group with participants posting pictures from every corner of the world, often inciting quite a bit of jealousy when the Australian or New Zealand based Leitrim natives post pictures from sunny beaches while we're all enduring wind, rain, snow, sleet and ice!

To join the 50 Miles in January Challenge Facebook group, click HERE.

Leitrim LGFA have joined the campaign this year in the first formal fundraising partnership between the two organisations and Leitrim LGFA chairperson Kathy Butler welcomed the development: "The GAA population in Leitrim is so small that we need to be working together, we need to collaborate and every family has people in both camps and every club is really united. It is the most positive part of this that we are all going in the same direction."

Participation & finance highlighted as key issues for Leitrim LGFA

Leitrim GAA chairman Enda Stenson urged everyone to support the 50 Miles in January Challenge: "We’re extremely excited to say that the Ladies Board are with us, which will give us another step on the ladder. It completes the circle within Leitrim. I look forward to seeing everybody, be it on social media, our printed media, local radio, I am so looking forward to Leitrim people, the diaspora, connecting."

Kathy Butler urged everyone to join the challenge: "Just sign up, get your beanie and get walking, spread the message far and wide. It is a real chance to support Leitrim men, Leitrim ladies and Leitrim hurlers and keep the Green & Gold flying. Get behind all of the teams from underage right up to adult, show our pride, show our support and the passion and spirit of Leitrim GAA supporters. We need to tap into that and it is a really positive space to be in, we’re looking forward to January.”

So sign up, get walking, running or whatever in January in aid of Leitrim GAA and Leitrim LGFA!