.
Shannon Quill and Yvonne Quill at the Donal Walsh 6k Challenge in Spa yesterday. Photo by Fergus Dennehy.
HUNDREDS of runners and walkers turned out on Sunday in beautiful weather and perfect running conditions, to take part in the annual ‘Donal Walsh Spa 6K Challenge’.
There was excitement and anticipation on the faces of the competitors, both young and old, as they geared up for the start of the event, a 6km looped run/walk that started and finished at the school.
The school had certainly pulled out all the stops on a day that was centered around honouring Donal and his spirit, and an event that they hoped would spread his message to ‘LiveLife’ to the fullest.
Donal’s father Fionnbar and his wife Elma were present on the day, with Elma again as the official starter for the run, while Fionnbar took the opportunity to thank those who came out and to give a short talk on what the event was all about.
“This [the challenge] is kind of special. This is Donal’s national school, it’s where he started his learning process, where he started his writing skills. I’m sure all of you know by now what his writing skills turned into. It’s special for us that we can commemorate him on an annual basis. Hopefully we can keep the conversation that he started two years ago goin – that is to go out and to ‘LiveLife’ whether it’s a walk, a run or a cycle, just keep the conversation alive,” he told those present.
11.30am came and runners and walkers all lined up to set off. Elma waved the flag (jacket) at the end of the countdown, and off they went, some bursting out from the traps while others were more content to enjoy a Sunday morning stroll.
Whether they ran the course, walked it or indeed cycled it, the most important thing is that they were out and about and ‘Living Life’.
Check out the start of the challenge in the short video below and scroll down for photos…
.
Scroll down for photos…
Elaine Elsten and Carrie Kelly at the Donal Walsh 6k Challenge in Spa yesterday. Photo by Fergus Dennehy.
John O’Sullivan and Niall O’Dowd at the Donal Walsh 6k Challenge in Spa yesterday. Photo by Fergus Dennehy.
Adrienne O’Carroll and Eleanor Foley at the Donal Walsh 6k Challenge in Spa yesterday. Photo by Fergus Dennehy.
Alice O’ Sullivan and Mary Walsh at the Donal Walsh 6k Challenge in Spa yesterday. Photo by Fergus Dennehy.
Aine, Art and Anna O’Sullivan at the Donal Walsh 6k Challenge in Spa yesterday. Photo by Fergus Dennehy.
Eilish Dowling, Louise O’Connor and Marlene Favaudon at the Donal Walsh 6k Challenge in Spa yesterday. Photo by Fergus Dennehy.
Catherine Brosnan and Pauline Burke Crean at the Donal Walsh 6k Challenge in Spa yesterday. Photo by Fergus Dennehy.
Patrick O’Sullivan, John O’Sullivan and Ellen O’Sullivan at the Donal Walsh 6k Challenge in Spa yesterday. Photo by Fergus Dennehy.
Richard and Lucas Greer at the Donal Walsh 6k Challenge in Spa yesterday. Photo by Fergus Dennehy.
Jim, Jake and Amelia Hoare at the Donal Walsh 6k Challenge in Spa yesterday. Photo by Fergus Dennehy.
Susan Keane with Michael Keane, Sarah Keane and Katie Smith-Galvin at the ‘Donal Walsh 6km Challenge’ in Spa NS. Photo by Fergus Dennehy.
