Operation Transformation Fever As Wexford Gets Walking
Hundreds Turn Out for Walking Events throughout Wexford
Wexford County Council’s Sports Active Department was delighted to have organised the recent walk at New Ross Park where 337 walkers took part to support Mairead Redmond, one of the National Leaders for the RTE Operation Transformation programme.
Operation Transformation is working in association with Sport Ireland for the seventh year running. The annual Nationwide Walking Events took place on Saturday the 7th of January with 437 people taking part in four walks County Wexford, one in Gorey, two in New Ross and the Leaders walk in New Ross.
Staff in the Sports Active Department were joined by John Treacy, CEO of Sport Ireland along with Mayor of Wexford Cllr Frank Staples and local councillors Michael Whelan, John Fleming and Willie Fitzharris. The Department also acknowledged the support of New Ross Municipal District Office, New Ross Rugby Club, Civil Defence, Cumas and local sponsors Lidl New Ross, Molloy’s Supervalu and Wallace’s Wellingtonbridge in running the New Ross event.
In addition to the Operation Transformation walk, a series of Parkrun events also took place in JFK Arboretum, Johnstown Castle and Gorey Town Park. Mairead together with personal trainer and TV personality Karl Henry attended the New Ross Parkrun where they were joined by 275 runners and walkers of all ages. The Parkrun is a weekly event held on Saturday mornings starting at 9.30am. The Johnstown Castle Parkrun is also supported by the rural bus service Local Link Wexford, which provides accessible bus services every Saturday morning from Wexford and surrounding areas to the picturesque venue.
The Operation Transformation programme will culminate in a 5 km run/walk on 18th February in all Parkrun venues.
The recently published Irish Sport Monitor Annual Report highlighted that recreational walking remains the most popular form of physical activity with 64.6% taking part, equivalent of 2.3 million people taking part across Ireland. John Treacy, CEO of Sport Ireland commented “The nationwide walks were a great success and enjoyed by all those who participated. Participation in physical activity is on the increase and recreational walking is hugely popular. I encourage people that may not walking on a regular basis to do so and to invest in their own health and well-being”