Hi everyone,
A big thank you to everyone that participated in, helped out with and encouraged during the Racing 795 April Club Challenge. We managed to raise over €1000 which will be presented to the Charities during the coming week. More on this when we get the stats from Frank.
We are now seeing the light and will be back out training together over the next few weeks. We have decided to keep the Challenge Theme going for May.
Inspired by the words of Christy Moore….
“Everybody needs a break, Climb a mountain or jump in a lake”
The Racing795 May Challenges
The Climb
Kilimanjaro, the world’s tallest free-standing mountain and Africa’s highest peak. Mount Kilimanjaro is a place of myth and folklore. Located 200 miles (325 km) from the equator, the mountain defies logic with its crown of ice. Climbing Kilimanjaro does not require any technical skills or special equipment, just some physical fitness and determination. People from all walks of life, from a 7-year-old child to an 89-year-old woman, have successfully summited.
The Waypoints
- Moshi 700 m
- Rongai Gate 1950 m
- Rongai Cave 2830 m
- 2nd Cave 3450 m
- Kikelewa Cave 3600 m
- Mawenzi Tarn 4315 m
- Mawenzi Ridge 4390 m
- Kibo Hut 4703 m
- Uhuru Peak 5,895 m
The Swim
The Strait of Gibraltar
The normal route is from Punta de Tarifa, Spain to Cires Point, Morocco. The distance is 16,100m with a water temperature of 20 degrees. The Strait of Gibraltar is a narrow waterway that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea and separates Europe from Africa. The shortest distance across it is 14.4 km (7.8 nautical miles) from Punta de Tarifa on the south west tip of Spain to Cires Point on the north shore of Morocco. Due to the influence of the strong currents and winds which prevail in the region, the distance swum when crossing the strait is usually 16 to 22 km. It’s also a busy shipping lane with 300+ vessels passing through daily. The depth of the strait ranges from 300 to 900 metres and there is various marine life within those depths including orcas (killer whales). The Strait of Gibraltar Crossing is part of the “Oceans Seven” challenge which comprises of the 7 hardest channel swims in the world.
May’s Charities
Bunclody Day Care Services
The Centre works towards providing a caring, social and recreational service for older people in the Bunclody area and its environs. The Day Care Provides provides for up to 50 people every Tuesday and Thursday with a setting where they can enjoy good conversation and companionship. They have morning tea/coffee, Dinner(hot meal each day at a fee) and desert, afternoon tea/coffee. They also take part in activities which include Bingo, Card Playing and are entertained by visiting musical performers and storytelling from time to time. Dancing and a sing- a -long can also occur with great participation from the members. They also benefit from chiropody, treatments throughout the year. Information talks are also organised with some suggested topics including: Care Health Nurse, Security for the elderly, Gardaí – crime prevention, Gardening, Legal issues etc.
Bunclody Men’s Shed
A ‘men’s shed’ is a community based project, where men can come together to learn, share skills and make long-lasting friendships together. The men’s shed movement was first founded in Australia in the 1980’s, and have since expanded to other countries including Ireland, the UK, America, Canada, Iceland and Estonia to name a few.
Ireland has becoming one of the leading nations for men’s sheds in recent years, with Ireland having the most sheds per capita. Currently, there are over 450 sheds in Ireland, with at least 10,000 men visiting a shed every week. All sheds are independent and self-autonomous, and the range of activities carried out by sheds differ from the next. Most sheds engage in activities such as woodwork, gardening, carpentry and community work. However, there are more special interests sheds that focus on things like music, fishing and restoration work.
How it Works
You enter the Virtual Event of your choice – €10 on IPS. You log your mileage with Frank who will map participants progress. More information on logging your mileage will be available in the next few days.
All participants will be entered in a draw, which will take place at the end of the month. The Club will match the entry fee and the total will be split between the two chosen Charities.
The Challenges which we think are achievable, will provide some motivation to put on your running shoes or jump on your bike and get outside and be very thankful that we can. This is being run on a honour basis, no need to submit Strava stats etc.
Challenges start on May 1st and finish on May 31st . This is a personal challenge that you are setting for yourself.
It really is the taking part that counts. It’s a phrase echoed by the founder of the Olympics, Baron Pierre de Coubertin, who said
“The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning but taking part; the essential thing in life is not conquering but fighting well.”
Link to entries here
Racing 795 