Waterford's unique Ronin Challenge puts Déise relay runners to the test
Waterford Greenway is the setting for the second Ronin Challenge in aid of Waterford Hospice Foundation.
The second ever Ronin Challenge is due to take place this September, challenging locals to a gruelling Greenway traversal in support of Waterford Hospice Foundation.
The challenge is to run from the start at the Edmund Rice Bridge in Waterford to the end at the Waterford Greenway Carpark in Dungarvan and back, a distance of 93.6km in under eight hours.
All participants are required to be in a relay team of a minimum of three people and a maximum of 16 people.
In feudal Japan, a ronin was the name for a samurai who had no master.
The word rōnin is usually translated to "wanderer" in English.
On November 3, 2023, ultra runner John G. Walsh created the Ronin Challenge, after he "wandered" the Waterford greenway from Waterford city to Dungarvan and back, a distance of 94.km, in a time of seven hours, 52 minutes and 34 seconds.
John is now challenging others to follow close to his approximate five-minute-per-kilometre pace Greenway traversal.
Last year, the challenge raised over €12,000.
Organisers are hoping to double that figure this year.
The challenge starts at Bilberry Carpark at 8am on Saturday, September 6.
Entry fee is €50 per person running.
100% of entry fees go towards the selected charity, the Waterford Hospice Foundation.
An entry can be made up of three (minimum) to 16 (maximum) individuals.
Each runner must run their leg in one go, the distance of the leg can vary but must not be longer than 42.2km.
Passing of the baton can only take place at the designated locations along the Greenway.
The changeover points will be adjacent to official Greenway Carparks.
“Batons” in the form of wrist bands will be provided to each team at the start line.
