Diocesan News14 Jul 16

Church Leaders Invite Public to Join the Tour de Foyle 10–80

The countdown is on as leaders of the city’s four main churches invite people to get on their bikes or put on their walking/running shoes for the Tour de Foyle 10–80 Charity Event, which will begin at the Foyle Arena on Saturday 27th August.

The event is being organised jointly by the North West Methodist Mission and the Churches Trust, and is supported by the four church leaders in Derry–Londonderry. Now in its third year, the event has attracted participants from far and wide, and organisers hope this year’s Tour will be bigger and better than ever.

10k ‘Walk with us’ Charity Walk

There is one new element in the 2016 Tour – a 10k walk which has been introduced to make the event even more inclusive. The church leaders will lead this element of the Tour and invite people to join them for what will be a leisurely and scenic walk.

Participants will set off from the Foyle Arena, make their way through St Columb’s Park towards the riverfront, cross the Peace Bridge, proceed along the waterfront and into Bay Park (where there will be a water station), up to and across the Foyle Bridge, along the greenway and back into St Columb’s Park, finishing at the Foyle Arena, where some well–earned and delicious refreshments will be served.

80k Charity Cycle

Cyclists will undertake a scenic lap of Lough Foyle for the third 80k Charity Cycle. Setting off from the Foyle arena, they will cycle to Magilligan where, after a brief ‘pit stop’, they will board the ferry to Greencastle. The route will then proceed southwards towards the city, crossing the iconic Peace Bridge into St Columb’s Park, finishing back at the Foyle Arena. Last year’s Cycle attracted 240 people, and we hope to surpass that figure this year. We are delighted that the Lough Foyle Ferry is back in service and grateful that its owners are sponsoring the crossing for participants.

10k Charity Run

The 10k run, which was introduced for the first time last year, will follow the same route as the 10k walk. Why not use it as a final training run for the Waterside Half Marathon which will take place eight days later?

The Tour de Foyle 10–80 is all about taking part. It is a fun event – not a race – and is open to all, from the novice to the expert, in walking, running or cycling. It offers people from all across our community an opportunity to come together and raise funds to support homeless people and those in need right here in our own city.

Please help us continue to help put other people’s lives back on track by getting on your bike or putting on your walking/running shoes on Saturday 27th August 2016 and taking part in one of our events.

Online registration is now open and will close on 22nd August, so book early to avoid disappointment. Visit www.tourdefoyle.co.uk for further details.

Participants can also register at the Foyle Arena on the day of the events. Registration for the 80k cycle will open at 7am, and the cycle will begin at 8am. Registration for the 10k walk and 10k run will open at 9.30am and both events will begin at 11am. Those who are unable to participate can still show their support and make a donation by visiting https://mydonate.bt.com/events/tourdefoyle1080donations