TWO exhausted runners completed their 32nd marathon in as many counties in as many days yesterday.
Mullingar men Gerry Duffy and Ken Whitelaw battled illness, fatigue and the elements to complete a marathon in every county in Ireland in just 32 days. Over the course of the challenge the pair have raised almost €500,000 for Autism Action Ireland and the Irish Cancer Society.
The duo were supported along the way by members of the public along with a number of high-profile runner. Fellow Westmeath resident Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary joined the runners for a half marathon yesterday and took part in another marathon in Dublin in early July.
Others who participated along the way include Ray D’Arcy, Keith Duffy, Eamonn Coghlan, Brian Kennedy and Kathryn Thomas.
Speaking at the finish yesterday, Gerry Duffy said that he was “half sad, half relieved” that the challenge was over.
“Yesterday was the toughest day I had. I had a bit of knee trouble and then I was quite sick last night. I got a bit of food poisoning,” the 42-year-old runner said.
Relieved and elated, Mr Whitelaw was thrilled at the turnout in Mullingar. “The joy here today, it has brought half the town of Mullingar out. I am absolutely humbled to pieces. There are 200 people running with us today.”
He said that there had always been a question mark over whether their legs could do it or whether a serious injury might befall one of the runners. Luckily they both did well. “I am feeling great. I am relieved, I am going through a huge amount of emotions. I am relieved because we have been planning this for the guts of two years,” the 30-year-old said.
“We have been training for a year so there was always a little bit of doubt at the back of our minds whether we could do this or not. So there was always a question mark over whether our legs could do it, whether we would get injured or not, whether we would go over a little stump of a tree or something but thankfully we have made it so the relief is tremendous,” he added.
The runners were inspired to attempt the 32-county challenge after reading 50/50: Secrets I Learned Running 50 Marathons in 50 Daysby American ultra-marathon runner Dean Karnazes.
“It is the idea itself that has gotten people’s attention . . . we reckon 65 to 70 per cent of the people who ran with us ran a half marathon or marathon for the very first time. To see the emotion in their eyes when they cross the line makes all the difference, it made it all worthwhile.”