If wellie racing was an Olympic sport, surely the Powley Vale would take gold every time.
Usually this time of year we’re getting set for our New Year’s Day outside broadcast to get set for the annual Wellie Race in Castlecomer.
There’s a community hall packed full of sandwiches and mugs of tea, there are floats getting ready for the parade, there is music, song and dance. Oh, and the actual wellie race itself.
For the uninitiated, it’s an actual road race where the criteria for entry is that your footwear must be a pair of wellies.
With the year that’s in it, the 41st annual wellie race is going virtual and it was officially launched on KCLR on Saturday.
Community spirit
The aim of organisers this year is to inject the fun, laughter and community spirit that comes with the annual wellie race into the virtual world.
“43 years ago today, in 1978, all this was born in the Powley Vale”, organiser Chubby Brennan told KCLR on Saturday.
“It was actually St. Stephen’s Day, 3 pm when the first wellie race in the world was held. From there, as you know, it moved into Castlecomer in 1981 and the rest is history.”
“From today until 6 January we’re going to have the 12 days of the Powley Christmas.”
“We’re giving people the opportunity to be involved in the 41st virtual wellie race. You can walk, you can run, you can crawl, you can get on your exercise bike, you can climb the mountain. You can do anything you like – in wellies.”
“All we’re asking you to do in return is to make a donation so we can, as a committee, donate to charity in the new year.”
“We’ve done it for the last 40 years and we’ve no intention of postponing and this is the only safe way to do it. It’s Christmas time, let’s have a bit of fun and help others.”
Sharing
Organisers are hopeful that if you’re getting involved you’ll share pictures and videos or stories with them, the funnier the better. Share them online using the hashtag #virtualwellierace or email wellierace@gmail.com.
For signups and donations, check wellierace.com.
