Ronan ogara askes you to challenge yourself challenge cancer at the 10th annual kerry way cancer research walk

Rugby legend Ronan O’Gara is lending his support to Breakthrough Cancer Research’s 10^th annual Kerry Way Cancer Research walk which will take place this July.

To mark its 10^th anniversary the walk has an added element of a 9 day team walk covering the 200km Kerry Way route along with the usual 3 day walk covering over 70km of the Kerry Way. These guided walks will combine impressive mountain views, dramatic peaks and glens, wild moorlands, wooded paths and lakes along the Kerry Way trails.  Challenging but fun, the great camaraderie on the route adds to the spectacular settings and ensures a truly memorable experience in the Kingdom. 

The walks include some of Irelands most fabulous walk ways with the most remarkable scenery, and a fantastic way to see the Atlantic coastline and rugged mountains of the Ring of Kerry. Views over the panoramic peninsulas are a haven for walkers which also offer open countryside, glens, mountains and beaches. Enjoy retracing the old ‘butter’ roads, bog roads, and moss paths which will reveal evidence of centuries of civilisation in the Kingdom.

Speaking at the launch of the walk Munster & Ireland rugby legend Ronan O’Gara said “I am delighted to lend my support to the 10^th Kerry Way Cancer Research Walk. So many people are affected by cancer and tackling it can be a daunting challenge.  As I have seen over my career, team work is vital and the team of dedicated scientists at the Cancer Research Centre tackle Cancer ever day with focus and determination. They work with clinicians all over the country to develop more treatment options for poor prognosis cancers. One day we will beat cancer, but it will take a team effort, so I am asking you all to play your part today and join the annual Kerry Way fundraising walk and help to raise much needed funds for Cancer Research.

“This year alone over 36,000 people will be diagnosed with cancer in Ireland and despite significant increases in the numbers of people surviving cancer and treatment options available, 8,800 people will die because the treatments to save their lives have not been discovered, yet. Fundraisers such as the annual Kerry Way Cancer Research Walk are vital at providing funds to further our research” explains Dr. Declan Soden Principal Investigator at the Cancer Research Centre.

 “When we started out with the first walk 10 years ago, we had no idea what a tremendous success the walk would become. Together with so many volunteers and walkers we have made a significant impact to the lives of those who bravely battle cancer on a daily basis and we hope to continue to do so this year. Since its inception the walk has raised almost €600,000 which has gone directly towards funding the great advances in research being carried out by the team of scientists at the Research Centre and this year we hope to raise more vital funds for Cancer Research.  Damian O’Brien & Pat Murray, on behalf of the Kerry Way Cancer Research Organising Committee.

 Walk Details: 

9 Day Team Walk

Sat July 18th to Sun July 26^th – 200km Kerry Way Route

Saturday 18^th Killarney – Black Valley (22km);

Sunday 19^th Black Valley – Glencar (20km);

Monday 20^th Glencar – Glenbeigh (17 km);

Tuesday 21^st Glenbeigh – Cahersiveen (28km);

Wednesday 22^nd Cahersiveen – Waterville (30 km);

Thursday 23^rd Waterville – Caherdaniel (11/26km);

Friday 24^th Caherdaniel – Sneem (18 km);

Saturday 25^th Sneem – Kenmare (28 km);

Sunday 26^th Kenmare – Killarney (25 km).

*The 9 day team event is limited to 10 teams only. Teams can be made up of between 2 and 6 people.

 

3 Day Individual Walk

Friday July 24^th to Sunday July 26^th - 71km Kerry Way Route

Friday 24^th Caherdaniel – Sneem (18 km);

Saturday 25^th Sneem – Kenmare (28 km);

Sunday 26^th Kenmare – Killarney (25 km).

*The individual walk is a 3 day guided walk, walkers can participate in 1, 2 or all 3 days over the course of the weekend.