Trilogy Triathlon Club recently launched a nationwide campaign called ‘We Care’.
The virtual 100km event is currently live for registrations through Pop Up Races and Eventmaster and also on Trilogy’s social media platforms and website.
The ‘We Care’ campaign’s premise is simple; run, walk, jog or cycle 100km in the month of June.
To ensure that the distance is achievable for all, and taking into consideration the benefactors of the money raised, the 100km can be completed as an individual, a couple, with friends or even a family.
To break it down, for example, a family of four who sign up for the June challenge who all go for a 5km walk can add their kilometres together, so they have completed 20km as a family.
To reach their 100km target they would simply have to complete five 5km walks in the month of June as a family unit.
Benefactors for the campaign are Family Carers Ireland and the LeCheile ASD classes at Portlaoise Educate Together NS.
The club want to acknowledge the hard work family carers have provided to loved ones and family members during the pandemic. The Family Carers Ireland tag line is simply ‘No one should have to care alone’.
This was not always the case during the toughest times during the pandemic. Now is their time to shine! Now is the time to thank this incredible group of people and let them know, WE CARE!
PRO for Trilogy, Pam Grogan decided to take the theme of the event and develop a personal fundraiser to boost the profile of the We Care campaign.
Pam will run 100km in two days at the end of June, on the weekend of the 26th and 27th.
Pam said, “I have never run a marathon before, or indeed any kind of long distances. So this was a big ask from my training, especially during the early months of lockdown.
“I did most of my training around a 650m loop at Portlaoise Leisure Centre, as the schools were closed and I had to bring my two boys with me when I needed to run.
“However since then my training schedule is going to plan and I am confident I can do the 100km in 9.5 hours and within a 36 hour timeframe.”
Pam will run 10x10km over the two days, running 50km a day. The local benefactor of the campaign are the ASD LeCheile classes in Portlaoise Educate Together N.S.
“I specifically chose a route to crossover with the school, so on my 10km route the school is my halfway turnaround point, before I head back to base at The Bog Road.”
The aim of the weekend is inclusion! Each 10km Pam runs she is hoping Covid guidelines will allow small groups, in which case members of Trilogy can join in with her on each of her 10km runs to support her in her goal of running 100km.
Club member and Trilogy’s cycling coach Michael Scully was also keen to volunteer to do something extra.
Michael a stalwart in the cycling circles in Laois and beyond has opted to cycle 200km in one day, the same weekend Pam hopes to complete her 100km.
Michael is also a member of Tullamore Cycling and Touring Club and over the years has represented his country on five occasions in cycling at masters level, holding 4 Vets championship titles to his name.
Despite his colourful masters career, 200km in one day is a huge undertaking.
On top of that Michael is hoping to cycle it, in and around six hours.
This means he will cycle approximately 30km per hour! Michael’s route will again start from the base at The Bog Road and he will tour Ballyfin, Mountrath, Abbeyleix and Ballyroan, Mountmellick road and back to base on a 50km loop, he will repeat this four times.
The club are again hoping that Covid guidelines will allow club members to join in the 50km loops meaning members of all abilities can take part in the cycling challenge.
Pam set up a personal fundraiser on Sunday 9th of May on Facebook where all donations are going straight to the We Care campaign.
Her campaign is called ‘Pam’s 10x10km for Portlaoise Educate Together NS.
“Unfortunately due to Facebook restrictions I couldn’t mention Family Carers in the description, however all funds will go to the we care campaign fund, it can also be found on Trilogy’s social media platforms.
Trilogy would like to thank all those who have signed up to their virtual 100km so far and there is still plenty of time to sign up over the next few weeks, however technical t-shirts are limited.
If you would like to donate through our website please go to www.trilogy.ie and hit the ‘Donate’ button on our homepage.
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