Excitement starts to build as North West 10k reaches special anniversary

On an evening of memories and nostalgia, the official launch of the 2022 North West 10k charity road race and walk took place at Letterkenny’s Mount Errigal Hotel on Monday evening.

This year will mark the 25th anniversary of an event which first took place back in 1997.

The North West 10k replaced the annual Rockhill 10k and it was fitting that members of the organising committee from the days of the Rockhill event were present for Monday night’s launch.

Present too were former committee members of the North West 10k who over the years have played their part in what has grown to become one of the most popular events on the county’s sporting calendar.

The event was to be launched by Charlie Kelly, the first ever chairperson of the North West 10k committee. Charlie was unfortunately unable to attend on Monday night, but he sent a heartfelt message of good luck to everyone involved - a message which drew a warm round of applause from those in attendance at Monday evening’s event.

Full results from the Bundoran 10 - where did you finish?

Donegal athletes to the fore on a superb day for running as more than 800 take part

Among the guests were representatives from the three benefiting charities - the No Barriers Foundation, the Donegal Diabetes Parents Support Group and Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus Ireland, Donegal Branch. 

Over its 24 years, the North West 10k has raised well over €833,000 for a host of charities - and the event’s first three chosen charities in 1996 - St Vincent de Paul, Multiple Sclerosis Donegal and the Breast Care Unit at Letterkenny University Hospital were also represented on Monday night.

This year’s North West 10k will take place on Bank Holiday Monday, May 2 beginning at 11am. That’s a new departure for a race which traditionally was held on the Sunday afternoon of the Bank Holiday weekend.

North West 10k chairman Neil Martin said reaching the milestone of 25 years is a very proud achievement for everyone involved.

“Some of the committee have been there since day one,” he said.

“And it’s difficult at times to think about all the time and energy that has gone in over those 25 years by so many people to help make it the success that it has become.

“It’s basically grown so popular that it’s almost now a brand all over Ireland.

“There’s a lot of work and a lot of commitment but we have a committee that’s almost hand-picked for their individual expertise.”

Brendan Boyce finishes 26th in Oman

Perseus Karlstrom, a training partner of Boyce, won the 35k at the World Race Walking Championships in Oman

With the on-set of Covid-19 in 2020, the North West 10k didn’t take place and last year, the race was held virtually.

The 2022 event will see a return to normality and Neil Martin is hoping that the public will get out and support what will be a special day.

A new  t-shirt to mark the 25th anniversary of the charity event has been produced and will be guaranteed to all those who enter the race before March 31. 

A North West 10k medallion will also be presented to participants on the day of the event. 

Monday night’s event also saw the launch of a 25th anniversary brochure which has been put together by North West 10k PRO Declan Kerr.