At the recent Greene Farm Foods Sportive launch were, from left: Louise McCarra (Lakeside Wheelers), Karen Hegarty (Westmeath Ladies GAA), Niamh Spellman (Westmeath Ladies GAA), Lisa Doran (Marketing Executive, Greene Farm Foods), Kenneth Greene (Managing Director, Greene Farm Foods), Damien Shaw (P

Greene Farm Foods Sportive set for May 1

The team at Greene Farm Foods, Rathowen were looking for a way to mark the 25th anniversary of the company this year, and to give something back to the community.

What they came up with was a charity sportive, and they are promising a day of fun and helping worthy causes, on Sunday May 1.

The initiative was launched at Market Square, Mullingar recently, with top sports stars including pro cyclist Damien Shaw and Westmeath ladies football star Karen Hegarty in attendance.

On offer are cycles of 130km or 60km and a 5k fun run, all in support of Aware, North Westmeath Hospice and Sightsavers.

Participants can register for the cycle or run one hour before start times at Multyfarnham Community Centre or online at Active.com. Entry fees: cycle €25; run: €10; and start times are 9am for the long cycle; 11am for the 60k and 1.30pm for the 5k run.

The cycle leaves Multyfarnham and tours the country roads of north Westmeath and beyond.

There will be food and tea stations on route and a hot buffet back at Multyfarnham following the event.

Greene Farm Foods is a great local success story. It began in 1991 when Kenneth Greene set up Greene Farm, a wholesale poultry products firm, at his family farm, and developed over the years, from the construction of new premises at Ballygarvey, Rathowen in 1999, to the launch of refreshed branding and packaging – 'Naturally Great Food’ – in 2015.

Now marking their silver anniversary, Greene Farm Foods support 160 Irish jobs.

“We said we wanted to do something to mark our 25 years of businesses. We have very good people organising the event with us, so we’ll see how it goes,” said Kenneth, when asked if the event would become an annual occurrence.

• www.greenefarmfoods.com / www.active.com (registration)