ROSE OF TRALEE Marie Walsh is getting to Tralee this year by running and cycling the 242 kilometre distance from her hometown in Shrule, Mayo.
Walsh is crossing through five counties in three days, arriving in Tralee on Friday in time to hand over the crown for the 2015 Festival.
The ambitious Trek2Tralee challenge is in aid of Barretstown, Development Perspectives, Donal Walsh #LiveLife Again.
Maria said “The Festival offered me a podium to share my stories and chapters with people right across the country, in particular our young people.
I wanted to show people that the Rose of Tralee Festival offers much more then the two nights on television. As I traveled around the world, I was drawn to the idea that the heart of the Irish Diaspora is people sharing their stories.
“Our very own Festival was created by friends sitting around a table talking and debating they could better their community. And that’s what lies at the heart of this Trek.
“The point of empowerment lies within stories being shared and the belief that as a collective group, we can all make a difference.”
Maria has been training hard ahead of the trek and now she’s calling on people to come out and help her run or cycle parts of it.
I very much hope on my final run as Rose that many will come out and join me and we can raise funds through our Trek2Tralee site for these fantastic charities.
Walsh is going through Galway, Clarinbridge, Ennis, Limerick, Bunratty Newcastle West, Abbeyfeale, Castleisland and finally onto Tralee to a welcome of over 35,000 festival goers.
Dublin based fitness coach Jen Feighery pitched the idea in April and she has been working with the Rose of Tralee preparing for the Trek over the past few months.
So far over €1,500 has been raised.
For more information on the Trek and how to donate check out Trek2Tralee.com.
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