Donegal Person of the Year John McCarter is to be the special guest starter for the 2025 North West 10k.
A successful businessman over a number of decades, John McCarter has also given a long period of voluntary service to the RNLI. The Buncrana man is also the Chairperson of the Board of Fort Dunree and is spearheading a multi-million euro redevelopment and transformation of the site as part of an enhanced tourism attraction for Inishowen.
John McCarter says he is delighted to accept the invitation from the North West 10k Committee to officially start the run on Monday morning in support of two charities Donegal Horizons CLG and Multiple Sclerosis Donegal Branch.
It’s the 27th staging of an event that has been running since 1996.
“I am very pleased to have been invited and given the honour of starting the North West 10k Charity Run and Walk on Monday morning at 11am. I am very much looking forward to being in Letterkenny to support the charities and meeting those involved,” he said.
North West 10k Chairperson Neil Martin said that having John McCarter as the special guest was very fitting, as not alone is he one of the County’s most successful businessmen but has also give many years to the lifeboats in a voluntary capacity and is one the of the key drivers of the Fort Dunree tourism centre developments.
“The Committee is very appreciative that John has accepted our invitation to be with us for a very special charity run and walk that we hope can go past the one million euros mark this year. John will be with me at the starting line. He will fire the starting gun at 11am on the Pearse Road and the runners and walkers will be off on the 28th North West 10k. I want to congratulate John again on being a most deserving recipient of the Donegal Person of the Year Award at the Dublin Donegal Association function at the end of March.”
The North West 10k has raised nearly €984,000 since 1997, benefitting 40 charity organisations.
Runners and walkers can still register in-person at the Letterkenny Community Centre today (Saturday the 3rd of May) and tomorrow (Sunday the 4th of May) between 3-6 pm.
Neil Martin is asking as many of those planning to run or walk the 10k to come along during those times in order to avoid queuing and delays on Monday morning.
“I would encourage as many people as possible to come in today and tomorrow and register. Also those that have already registered online please come into the Letterkenny Community Centre today and tomorrow and collect your t-shirts and numbers. Late registrations will be taken on Monday morning between 8 and 10am” Mr Martin said.
