Limerick spinathon this weekend as friends get ready for mountainous challenge

A TWELVE-HOUR ‘spinathon’ will take place this weekend in Limerick as two friends build up to one of the most challenging expeditions of their lives.

Fitness instructors Geri McLoughlin, who lives in the city centre and Emma Cross of Ardnacrusha will get in the saddle and teach bike classes for half a day in Aisling Annacotty’s clubhouse between 7am and 7pm on Sunday.

They are gearing up to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania next year, and are holding a number of warm-up events to get themselves in tip-top shape for the volcanic walk.

Although the pair are self-funding their trip, money they raise from the expedition, and the events in the run-up to the adventure will go to two very deserving charities.

They are the neonatal units at University Maternity Hospital in Limerick and its equivalent in Cork.

“These are super-close to us. Emma’s children were in the neonatal unit in Limerick. My nieces and nephews were in the neonatal unit in Cork. Between the two, they were so good to our families,” explained Geri.

She admits both her and her friend are massively into walking.

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Emma scaled Africa’s highest peak 20 years ago, while for Geri, it’s another challenge in her hiking journey having just returned from Mont Blanc in the Alps.

The pair will be joined by another friend and fitness instructor Lisa O’Riordan at the spinathon.

Although the official plan is for them to work in two hour blocks each, Geri admits she might try and keep going for the full distance!

“We will be doing our own tracks, we'll have DJs and playlists to teach the class. For example, I might do a Disney hour, Emma might do a rock-n-roll hour. We all have different genres we want to cover,” she explained.

There will be a collection for the neonatal units on Sunday, plus a bake sale.

Members of the public can choose to join the effort for as short or as long a time as they wish.

For more information, or to book a spot on a bike, please telephone Geri at 085-1510841.

Donations for the neonatal units can also be made by dropping into Aisling Annacotty on Sunday itself.

Alternatively, go online and search ‘Beats and treats’ at gofundme.com

The friends will host a quiz night and one more event before they hit the volcanic rocks.