Fundraiser in Mullingar for 300km runner
A long distance runner who is doing a solo lap of Leinster from Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin to raise funds for it will be in Castlepollard and Mullingar this Thursday.
Tom McGrath started The Gathering 300km Solo Run yesterday (Monday), carrying a replica of the 2012 London Olympics torch.
He went to Navan yesterday and is in Dundalk today; Carrickmacross and Kells tomorrow; and on Thursday May 23, he runs the 42.3km from Kells to Mullingar via Castlepollard, where he will visit some of the schools.
On his approach to Mullingar, the camogie clubs who have organised a bucket collection will meet him, and that evening Mullingar Greyhound Stadium hosts A Night at the Dogs with a special feature Terrier Race and entertainment following the last race at 9.30pm.
On Friday 24, Tom runs from Mullingar to Enfield 38.5km and his challenge ends on Saturday 25 at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital. Later that evening, a talent show and auction take place at the Goat Bar, Goatstown (all proceeds to Our Lady’s).
Tom (61) once held the record for running the 3,046 miles across America. He has often run 24 hours non-stop, and has completed several 1,000-mile solo runs. Although his home for the last 40 years has been New York City, where he often runs 1,000 one-mile laps of the reservoir in Central Park, Tom was born and raised in Fermanagh.
On the challenge for Our Lady’s, Tom said: “When I finish these daily runs my body is weak, my muscles are sore and I am really tired but I know that after some rest I can do it again tomorrow – some of those sick children will never be able to walk again, never mind run – that’s what drives me to take on this challenge.
“I visited the hospital and have seen the patients and their families are benefiting in such a practical way from people’s support.”
Tickets for the event at Mullingar Greyhound Stadium are on sale at Days Bazaar and the Sports Outlet in Mullingar.
Contact Sean Fogarty at the stadium on 061 448066; Sean.fogarty@igb.ie.