The momentum behind the 32 County Challenge (www.32marathons.com) fundraising event in aid of Irish Autism Action is building rapidly. Next July and August Gerry Duffy and Ken Whitelaw will run 32 marathons in 32 consecutive days in the 32 counties of Ireland to raise money for this worthy charity. The run in County Galway will take place on Saturday, July 17th 2010. Already 400 runners have signed up around the country to participate.
 
“The challenge will be tough but myself and Ken are ready to take it on,” said Gerry Duffy. “This is a great cause and we are determined to succeed and raise as much money as possible for Irish Autism Action. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity to run a marathon in your home county and we’re encouraging people to come along and run with us in their local area.”
 
A number of high profile celebrities have come on board to lend their support nationally including Eamon Coughlan, Darragh Ó Sé, Charmaine Kenny (Rose of Tralee), Ken Doherty, Charlie Swanand Bernard Flynn by acting as a race starter in different counties. In fact, some celebrities like Keith Duffy, Norman Williamson and Charmaine Kenny have said they will join Gerry and Ken by running some miles with them along the way. Keith Duffy and Brian Kennedy have agreed to run the entire 26.2 miles in Dublin!
 
Keith Duffy Patron of Irish Autism Action said: “We are thrilled that the lads have decided to take on this challenge in aid of our charity. It will be a fantastic achievement for all the runners involved and we will be encouraging communities nationwide to get behind the lads and support them.”
 
Gerry and Ken want to be joined by 32 different runners each day as they run around Ireland. For those that don't feel up to the full 26.2 miles, there is a half marathon option each day which people can either run, jog or do a bit of both!
 
Tom Duffy, whose brother Gerry is one of the two runners who is going to complete all 32 marathons, is heading up the registrations in Galway on behalf of the charity. He is urgently calling on people to join in on the day and be part of history in the making. Never before has a marathon taken place in every county in the country.
 
Every €1000 raised through this marathon challenge will take a child off a waiting list for diagnosis while €600 will provide 10 Speech & Language sessions for children to help them to learn to communicate.
 

See www.32marathons.com for more information on the event, how to register, training plans, FAQ’s and more. Tom is also happy to provide more information and to register people directly and can be contacted on 087-2575736.