21 Sep2016

Fancy challenging yourself to keep up with one of the greatest sportspeople to come out of Ireland? Now the biggest charity cycle in the midlands, the annual Tour of the Midlands with Sean Kelly is a chance for every cycling enthusiast to ride alongside a sporting legend, while making some money for a worthwhile cause on the way!

The Tour

The event consists of two major cycles: the 120 kilometre Slieve Bloom Challenge and the 80 kilometre Kelly Cut Challenge. Even people who are a little daunted by the idea of such an ambitious cycle have an option – there’s a 12 kilometre Family Spin that you can register for on the day. 

An new addition for 2016 is the option to fundraise for a special cycling jersey designed by Sean Kelly from his clothing range. You can also keep up with the action by following the Irish Heart Foundation (@irishheart_ie) or Sean Kelly himself (@seankellycyclin) on Twitter.

Sean Kelly

Sean Kelly is one of Ireland’s most successful sports personalities. A former professional cyclist, he won nine monument classics, and an impressive 193 professional races, during his career.  He also won two bronze medals in the World Road Race Championships in 1982 and 1989. Kelly is currently an English language commentator for Eurosport, but very involved with good causes. Aside from his work with the Irish Heart Foundation he rides in long-distance charity cycling tours for Blazing Saddles, a charity raising money for the blind and partially sighted.

The Irish Heart Foundation

The Irish Heart Foundation, as its name suggests, works to support people with cardiovascular disease. It also works with those affected by stroke. Sadly, cardiovascular disease and stroke are on the rise. 27 people a day lose their lives to cardiovascular disease – that’s over 10,000 over the course of a year. This makes the Foundation’s work to raise awareness of how people can prevent it even more important.

Big events like the Tour of the Midlands have a dual purpose. They raise money to support a good cause, but they also raise awareness of the issues involved – while also helping lots of people to get out and active to maintain healthy hearts.

The event takes place on October 2. On the day registration is limited to one hundred spots, so be sure to book your place in advance. The Starting point is at the Tullamore Harriers Sports Arena, Tullamore. You can register, and get details of the routes, on the Irish Heart Foundation website.

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