Running in reverse world record attempt to raise funds for Western Alzheimers

Byâ€Ë†JACQUELINE HOGGE WORLD record attempts don't come any more bizarre than Ireland's first retro run that will see up to 600 people running backwards in a bid to raise funds for Western Alzheimers. The novel event will take place in South Park, Salthill on Sunday, June 10 and is being organised by the Galway-based company Smartsearch.ie. Retro running is the art of running backward and the reigning World Retro Running Champion over 3km, Garret Doherty, has been enlisted to help participants with their training and technique.[private] The current Guinness World Record for retro running is 539 and it was set in Belgium in 2009. Smartsearch.ie is hoping to get 600 people taking part in their retro run event over a short distance of just 1km. 'Raising much-needed funds for Western Alzheimers, we believe this event will be one of the most memorable fun events in Galway this year,' said Smartsearch.ie Managing Director Michael Keaney. 'Not content with organising Ireland's first competitive Retro Run, we also want to break a Guinness World Record, so I am calling on young and old to take up the challenge. It will be completed over a distance of 1km so people of all fitness levels will be able to run or walk it.' Merlin Park unit Noel Higgins, Area Manager and Fundraising Officer for Western Alzheimers said all money raised by the event will go towards the development of a new unit in Merlin Park for people with dementia and Alzheimer's. 'When we were approached by Michael with this novel fundraising idea, we were immediately enthused and very excited to be involved,' he said. 'We are currently in the process of fundraising for a residential unit in Merlin Park, which is very much needed, given the growing number of Alzheimers and dementia cases in Ireland and in the West.' Mayor of Galway Hildegarde Naughton was the first person to try retro running and took on Garret Doherty at the launch of the event in Eyre Square. 'This is indeed one of the most novel events to take place in Galway this year and all in aid of a very worthy cause,' she said. 'I would encourage the people of Galway to come on board to help break the Guinness world record while raising money for, and awareness of, Western Alzheimers.' Retro running originated in China where people have been walking and running backwards for thousands of years. [/private]