‘Lap the lough’ challenge to journey around the world

AN innovative exercise challenge over the 40 days of Lent has been set by Loughmacrory GAA club with the aim of helping it to complete a virtual round the world journey of 36,675 miles.

Every day, starting from yesterday (Ash Wednesday), the entire contingent who join the ‘Lap the Lough Challenge will begin to accumulate miles.

They will begin with one destination in each of the 32 counties in Ireland, which will be highlighted as a GAA club either located at a LOUGH or with a link to the Lough.

The miles accumulated by the group as a whole will determine the journey and in order to be successful, the total miles accumulated will have to match the overall total needed to achieve our ambition of the 36, 675 miles total stated.

Shane McCullagh, chairman of the local St Teresa’s GAA club says the route has been calculated as if the group leave Loughmacrory each day and travel to a destination in Ireland before returning home each night.

“As the club virtually reaches every club on the list, we will promote five interesting facts and information on that destination, and at some of those destinations reached we will even have someone from thatr club and area on our social media channels to pass on a message to the whole Loughmacrory GAA Lap the Lough Group,” he said.

“The entire journey finishes on Easter Saturday night, April 3, with an online quiz to look back on the whole journey. So, we are encouraging people to take note of all the facts, information and titbits which we will publish each day on our journey through Lent.

“Every exercise or activity will be translated into miles. Those miles are then submitted to us every Friday, so we will total them up and this will determine our destinations planned for the journey the following week.

“We will have a huge map image of the journey at the front of the One Wall Arena for Lent and this will show our miles progress and the destinations we have reached.”

In addition, a series of Virtual Mental Health and Inspirational talks have been organised.

Among the speakers are former Tyrone GAA manager, Mickey Harte, Tyrone footballer, Conor Meyler and well known inspirational ladies role model, Neamh Woods. Conor McCafferty from Zest will talk about emotional health and the impact of alcohol. Jimmy Carigan will speak on coping with loss and grief.