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Participants take off at the Park Run in conjunction with Operation Transformation National Walk Day on Saturday morning. Photo by Dermot Crean
WHILE Kerry was blanketed in dense fog early Saturday morning, for the National Operation Transformation Walk Day, it didn’t deter enthusiastic walkers and runners who participated in the seventh year of the event.
This year, the walks programme was expanded to three locations – Listowel, Killarney and Tralee. The walks in Killarney and Tralee were facilitated by the local parkruns, which is made possible by the wonderful work and existing efforts of the fabulous volunteers led by local Event Directors Alan Ryan and Siobhan Kearney.
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According to Córa Carrigg, Co-Ordinator with Kerry Recreation & Sports Partnership, “across the county a total of 606 participants took part in the walks/runs. Record numbers were reached in Killarney park-run at 147 and 319 at Tralee park-run, while 140 took part in Listowel. The inaugural walk in Listowel Town Park was well attended with the support of Listowel Community Centre and Kerry County Council being vital towards its success.”
“It was fantastic to see so many people of all ages and abilities starting the New Year with a bout of physical activity,” said Córa. “Based on the number of smiles witnessed on the day physical activity can only enhance well being and happiness, so why stop now. We have beautiful town parks as well as the national park in our county which ensures Kerry people have a number of off-road walking routes which are safe and suitable for all the family.”
As a follow on from the Operation Transformation Walk Day, Kerry Recreation & Sports Partnership has linked up with a number of walking/running groups, throughout Kerry. These groups are offering a six-week programme which commenced on Monday but anyone interested is encouraged to visit www.kerryrecreationandsports.ie for a list of participating groups and contact their local group for further details.
