Downings woman Grania MacGinty is focussed on a new challenge this summer - the Donegal Atlantic Way Ultra. Here is why she decided to have a go:

Grania and family

Grania MacGinty a Radiologist at Letterkenny General Hospital and a busy mum, didn’t get much time to do exercise outside her working hours and looking after her family, that was until she was introduced to Team Donegal Oil’s #haveago concept by her husband Padraig McGinty.  

On Friday June 23rd, Grania will form part of a novice team in the Donegal Atlantic Way Ultra Race – an ultra cycling event along 555km of rugged and beautiful Donegal Wild Atlantic Way coastline.

Padraig took part as a 4 person team for Team Donegal Oil in last year’s Donegal Atlantic Way Ultra. She was inspired to see how Padraig became hooked to the cycling and got so much fitter and healthier in a short space of time.

It somehow spurred her on and last October she decided to #haveago at making time to introduce some fitness into her own life. She started slowly with a Couch to 5k and added in some swimming at the pool when she could.

She was overwhelmed and delighted with herself when she managed to run the Letterkenny Rotary’s Winter Warmer 5k at the end of November.

And in her own words, to “her delight” she spotted a post on Facebook where Team Donegal Oil were looking for a team of cycling novices to take part in the Donegal Atlantic Way Ultra Race. She knew that she was ready for another challenge, contacted Arthur McMahon and hey presto, she got on the team.

Donegal Atlantic Way Ultra

Not going to lie idle and really wanting to get into the spirit of the challenge, she bought herself a bike and started her training –  cycling with a group of ladies, who now call themselves “The Lycra Lasses”. They were spurred by the Team Donegal Oil Concept which was to encourage others to #haveago and get off the couch.

The Lycra Lasses set up a Whats App group and started inviting their friends. The concept for these ladies was to mix a bit of exercise with a bit of craic and get them moving and off their couches.

Donegal Atlantic Way Ultra Race 555KM

Grania, from the start, had her X-Ray eyes focussed on the challenge and wanted to give it 100% for the team, so she recently had a go and completed the Rathmullan Duathalon, followed by the Letterkenny Try a Tri, The Waar Sprint and the Gartan Challenge Adventure Race, all in preparation for the Donegal Atlantic Way Ultra with Team Donegal Oil.

Grania is really looking forward to this challenge, as it will be a real team effort and great fun too.

Grania is already spreading the word to her colleagues at Letterkenny General Hospital and encouraging them to #haveago and get off the couch, make friends, have fun and get fit! She’s so glad she did!

Grania will be joined by teammate Sheral Hetherington, discover her motivational story here:

Donegal mum is having a go at an Ultra Race… and she’s only been cycling a year!