Local ladies complete four marathons in four days

In a remarkable achievement, two local runners have completed four marathons in a four-day period.

Last Thursday Fleur Forbes and Elaine Cooney from Kinnegad started their first of four marathons in Donegal. Over the next four days they ran a marathon each day, so by midday Sunday they had completed the mission and finished the fourth marathon.

Fleur and Elaine are members of Kinnegad Coralstown Athletics Club. Elaine, from Coralstown, is the wife of former Westmeath senior football manager, Jack Cooney, who is now in charge of the Coralstown Kinnegad senior footballers. Fleur is from Turin.

It was run by Extreme North Events, the main organiser being Harold McGuinness. The four marathons on consecutive days take place over four different routes on the Inishowen Peninsula. Fabulous scenery is part of the special experience.

Day one covers Kinnagoe Bay, day two Malin Head, day three Mamore Gap, and day four is through Muff and on to Moville. It caters for walkers, slow runners and faster runners and there is also a half marathon option.

A full hot and cold buffet is served after every run and there is a relaxed, friendly mood among participants in what is well organised event. Is nearly impossible to run the hills and that is what makes it such a memorable event for so many people.