Breffni Challenge aims to surpass the €1M mark

Breffni Challenge organisers are set to surpass an important milestone this August Bank Holiday weekend as they expect to crash through the €1M barrier in terms of money raised for cancer charities over the past 18 years of the annual event.
The challenge, which includes walking, running and cycling across three provinces, is a shining example of what a community can achieve. The current total of funds raised over the lifetime of the challenge stands at a remarkable €976,000. Once again this year, the monies generated will go towards the Friends of St Luke's, Dublin, Breast Cancer Research Ireland, Galway and Cavan/Monaghan Homecare Association.
Representatives of all three charities were present at the launch of the 18th annual challenge last Friday night in the Breffni Arms Hotel, Arva, where they outlined the work they do and the difference it makes to cancer patients and their families. They were Jimmy O’Donnell, Cavan Monaghan Palliative Care; Yvonne Boland, Friends of St Luke’s and Paul Earley, Breast Cancer National Research Institute in Galway. 
In a video message, RTÉ sports broadcaster Joanne Cantwell said the event “is one of the most special things you could be part of – it now can be that bit more special, because we are aiming to pass that one million euro mark”.
The event started in 2001 as the brainchild of Philip Brady from Arvagh. He organised a cycle from Dublin to Arvagh and got the participants to raise sponsorship.
The following year, he organised a charity GAA match in Arvagh with former football greats making up novice Ulster-Leinster and Connacht-Munster teams.
Buoyed by the success of the first two ventures and impressed at the community involvement, the concept moved to a walk/run ‘challenge’ from Cavan to Arvagh. 
Having found an enduring formula for success, the Breffni Challenge became an annual event. In 2015, the concept evolved into the Breffni 3 Province Challenge, starting and finishing in Arvagh where three provinces meet.
So this year, on Saturday August 4, the call is out to make it extra special by cross the million euro mark and there are events for people of all ages and fitness levels.
There are three running and walking routes - a 5km, a 10km and an AAI approved half-marathon (21k) route. For the cyclists, two routes will feature – a 25k and a more challenging 100k from Arvagh through Carrigallen, Mohill, Drumlish, Granard and Gowna returning to Arvagh.
Event co-ordinator Carol McEnerney says: “You don't have to be a super fit athlete to take part. We welcome everyone from GAA clubs, walking groups, fitness clubs or running novices.”
All the participants will receive a t-shirt and a medal at the finish line before the ‘Welcome Home Party’ on the Market Square in Arvagh. Later on, athletes will be revived with evening dinner at the Breffni Arms Hotel, with a special rate for everyone and followed by live entertainment into the night.
There is online registration available up to the event date with a link available at www.breffni3provincechallenge.com. Registration will be available in the Breffni Arms Hotel, Arva, from 7-9pm on Friday, August 3, and in St Patrick’s Hall on the Saturday morning of the event from 9am to 1.30pm.  
Times for the events are: 100K cycle, 11am; 25K cycle, 1:30pm; 5K walk/run, 10K and half marathon events start at 2pm. The Breffni 3 Province Challenge will also be part of Arva’s 3 Province Festival, which will kick off a week earlier with the hugely popular Arva Show on Sunday, July 29.
Sponsorship cards are available from local businesses. More information and maps available at www.breffni3provincechallenge.com and on Facebook.