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Principal of Spa NS Peter Linehan with Rowena Savage and Elma Walsh at the Spa NS Donal Walsh 6k Family Fun Run/Walk on Sunday morning. Photo by Dermot Crean
THE ‘Live Life’ spirit shone brightly in Spa last Sunday with close to 600 people turning out for the ‘Donal Walsh Spa 6K Challenge’ hosted by the local school.
The family fun day was organised by the school community in honour of Donal, their past pupil.
“We wanted to honour Donal and so the committee worked to create this special event where people would come together for a few hours, have fun and ‘live life’ just as Donal had urged us all to,” said school principal Peter Linehan.
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“This was the fifth hosting of the annual event and it was probably the most successful yet. Huge credit must go to our Parents Association team led by chairperson Rowena Savage who worked tirelessly over the past few weeks to ensure that everything would be ready”, added Peter.
Close to six hundred people visited the school which was a hive of activity with a fabulous farmers market in operation. Senior students hosted fun games and challenges for young and old to try out and enjoy all day long.
The Parents Association had also organised a beautiful barbeque on site with teas and tasty treats also being served up as well.
Rebecca Naughton, Lucy Jane McGarrell and Marina McGarrell at the Spa NS Donal Walsh 6k Family Fun Run/Walk on Sunday morning. Photo by Dermot Crean
The students in 4th and 5th classes organised an exciting rocket launching competition which had the crowd gasping at every launch.
Others chose to just chill out and soak up the great atmosphere. At the end of the day, street performer, Monsieur Gusto had everyone in stitches with his hilarious show.
However, the main event of the day was the ‘Donal Walsh Spa 6K Challenge’ a looped run/walk starting and finishing at the school. Donal’s mother Elma Walsh officially started the run/walk.
There was an electric atmosphere as young and not so young set off to tackle the course in ideal weather conditions.
First home in the men’s section was David Kennedy from Tralee. Cork man Ed Murphy finished a close second whilst Kilmoyley man Pádraig Regan came a very impressive third.
Gillian scooped first place in the ladies section closely followed by local girl Ciara Tierney and Ardfert athlete, Emer O’Sullivan landing third place.
Elma Walsh was thrilled with the event, “We are delighted to be back in Spa N.S. again, a place where Donal had so many happy days. Everyone had a really wonderful day and Donal would have loved it!” Scroll down for photos…
Alanna Maharaj, John Tuite and Stephanie Thubeauville at the Spa NS Donal Walsh 6k Family Fun Run/Walk on Sunday morning. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Donal and Saorlaith Lawlor, Brian Stephenson and David Slattery at the Spa NS Donal Walsh 6k Family Fun Run/Walk on Sunday morning. Photo by Dermot Crean
Niamh Abeyta, Marie O’Shea and John Counihan at the Spa NS Donal Walsh 6k Family Fun Run/Walk on Sunday morning. Photo by Dermot Crean
Aisling, Joanne and Siobhan O’Mahony at the Spa NS Donal Walsh 6k Family Fun Run/Walk on Sunday morning. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Bertie Carmody, JP Daly, Edith Carmody, Ger Carmody and Stephen Stack at the Spa NS Donal Walsh 6k Family Fun Run/Walk on Sunday morning. Photo by Dermot Crean
Members of the Born To Run Club at the Spa NS Donal Walsh 6k Family Fun Run/Walk on Sunday morning. Photo by Dermot Crean
Debbie and Aisling Dillon, Gemma O’Sullivan and Cora Crowley and Marie and Louise Gaynor at the Spa NS Donal Walsh 6k Family Fun Run/Walk on Sunday morning. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Alan O’Riordan, John and Brendan O’Sullivan at the Spa NS Donal Walsh 6k Family Fun Run/Walk on Sunday morning. Photo by Dermot Crean
Amanda Bentley Curran, Aine O’Sullivan and Darragh Stephenson at the Spa NS Donal Walsh 6k Family Fun Run/Walk on Sunday morning. Photo by Dermot Crean
Mary Donnelly, Clodagh Donnelly and Catherine Burke at the Spa NS Donal Walsh 6k Family Fun Run/Walk on Sunday morning. Photo by Dermot Crean
Participants setting off at the Spa NS Donal Walsh 6k Family Fun Run/Walk on Sunday morning. Photo by Dermot Crean
Participants setting off at the Spa NS Donal Walsh 6k Family Fun Run/Walk on Sunday morning. Photo by Dermot Crean
Participants setting off at the Spa NS Donal Walsh 6k Family Fun Run/Walk on Sunday morning. Photo by Dermot Crean
Participants setting off at the Spa NS Donal Walsh 6k Family Fun Run/Walk on Sunday morning. Photo by Dermot Crean
Participants setting off at the Spa NS Donal Walsh 6k Family Fun Run/Walk on Sunday morning. Photo by Dermot Crean
Participants setting off at the Spa NS Donal Walsh 6k Family Fun Run/Walk on Sunday morning. Photo by Dermot Crean
