From Cloone to Chicago, Leitrim people have committed to walking or running 50 miles (80km) this month for the betterment of their county, its Gaelic games and their own health.
It's the third year of the 50 Miles Challenge which is organised by Leitrim GAA, and what began as a fund-raiser for the county's GAA teams now encompasses a much wider set of goals.
On board this year with Leitrim GAA are Leitrim Ladies Gaelic Football Association and Leitrim County Council.
The money raised by walkers and runners across the country and across the globe will support all of Leitrim's men's and women's inter-county teams in 2023.
An iDonate page set up for the challenge is already closing in on €50,000 in donations - half way to the target of €100,000.
In the broader context, the challenge is also backing Leitrim County Council's objectives of promoting the county as a good place to invest in, work in, relocate to, remote work from and also to visit and enjoy.
Last year the 50 Miles Challenge saw people participating in 27 counties at home and 65 countries worldwide.
This year, nine ambassadors are on board to promote the challenge; each comes from an enterprise or sporting background and has a Leitrim connection.
This year's ambassadors are Keith Beirne, Norah Casey, Muireann Devaney, Saoirse Gibbons, Pascal Gillard, Michelle Guckian, Dermot Lowery and Declan Sweeney.
Videos and photos of all involved are shared on the Leitrim GAA website and a specially set up Facebook group.
I'm doing the 50 miles challenge for @LeitrimGAA for the month of January. Any donation would be much appreciated 😉 --> https://t.co/5MeFOExJgr #50mileschallenge
— Emlyn Mulligan (@emlynmulligan) December 31, 2022
Organisers describe the challenge as a unique coming together of Leitrim GAA and Ladies GAA, the Leitrim community and diaspora to promote Leitrim and raise funds.
It also hopes to attract remote workers and mobile talent to the county, and a Recruitment and Enterprise Expo on 27 January in the Landmark Hotel in Carrick on Shannon has already been booked out.
The Leas Cathaoirleach of Leitrim County Council Cllr Sean Mc Dermott said "This is an opportunity to showcase Leitrim-based employers and vacancies within their organizations.
A number of companies and organisations have also signed up to become Corporate partners in the challenge and engage their staff in the health and wellbeing aspects of the physical activity as well as promoting the advantages of their own enterprises as attractive places to work .
It's a win-win challenge all around in terms of fitness, health, and the promotion of Leitrim ladies and men's gaelic games and the county as a whole.
