Many congrats to John McCann who completed Mizen to Malin for the third time, raising thousands of euro for charity in the process. You can read the account below from his local media in County Tyrone.
Well-known local Marathon Runner from Dromore, John McCann has completed his third Mizen Head to Malin Head Run in style this week.
John started at Mizen Head, Ireland's most southerly point on Thursday 10th June and covered an average of 36 miles per day reaching Malin Head in Co. Donegal on Sunday, June 20th. This is the equivalent to running almost a marathon and a half each day. John is now the only person to have completed the length of Ireland run three times, a tremendous achievement at the age of 61.
This year's run was in aid of local Down Syndrome Groups who fundraised individually in towns and villages along the route of the run. Every group who fundraised benefited directly as all money raised stayed with each local group. In 2008 and 2009 John's fundraising exceeded €45,000 and the total for this year's run will be determined over the coming weeks.
Speaking at the end of the run in Malin Head John expressed how overwhelmed he was with the support he received throughout the run "The support I received was amazing. Eleven days on the road is a long time and the encouragement from wellwishers helped me to push on and remain focused on the task ahead. After five days of above average temperatures dehydration and heat exhaustion became a major concern but the experienced back-up team kept me right ensuring I completed the run injury free which feels fantastic", he added.
John was joined on the road by a support team who helped keep the run on schedule. Each day started with breakfast at 5.30am and the last mile of the day was completed around 6pm. "I couldn't have done it with them", John said. "They organised everything from my diet and fluid intake to rest times, accomodation, physiotherapy and most importantly keeping me safe on the road. I was also joined by runners at various part along the road and their company was invaluable." John passed through Enniskillen, Omagh and through to Derry last weekend and would like to thank all who came out and showed their support, especially in his home town of Dromore.
After a gruelling eleven days on the road John's arrival at Malin Head was a proud moment. He was met by many friends and family including his mother and grandchildren at Bamba's Crown. Coinciding with John's finish on Sunday were sixty cyclists who completed the same journey from Mizen Head in Co.Cork. As this was also a fundraising event over three hundred supporters had gathered along the steep route to the finishing point at Bamba's Crown. Once the cyclists had finished, the crowd remained in place in anticipation of witnessing John set his record. One of the first to offer John congratulations was special friend Claire McStay who had travelled from Omagh with her mum Maura.
Donations are still being recieved and can be made through your local branch of Down Syndrome or by contacting John on 07980 558348. Full details of John's Journey from Mizen to Malin including photographs can be seen at http://runmizentomalin.blogspot.com.
Copyright 2009-2012 Richard Donovan / UltraRunning Ireland. All rights reserved.