Main pic: John McGee (centre, kneeling) with representatives of the benefitting charities.
After months of gruelling training, Creeslough’s John McGee is set to take part in an endurance challenge to support a number of worthy causes this weekend.
John completed a charity cycle and run event two years ago to fundraise for the Donegal Hospice and for Lamb-Shaffer Syndrome research. However, he will be taking on his toughest challenge yet when he will undertake a run, cycle and swim event over a 233 km route this Saturday.
The challenge will involve a 3.4km swim from Ards to Downings, a 187km cycle to Errigal car park at Dunlewy and finishing with a 42.2km run that will start with climbing Errigal.
The benefiting charities will be Critical, Donegal Mountain Rescue Team and Search And Rescue Dogs Association. All donations received will be distributed equally between them.
John explained that he made the decision back in October to support these voluntary groups who played a role during and after the Creeslough tragedy on October 7th, 2022.
“I did a two discipline event before for two charities so when I planned to add swimming into this year I thought I’d nominate a charity for each section and donate it to the groups who helped in the Creeslough tragedy,” he said.
“I’ve been preparing for this year’s event for the last seven months and doing about 20 hours training per week.
“Often on a Sunday, I would do a five hour bike ride followed by a two to two and half hour run.
“Thankfully I have no injuries and very few niggles and I had a good training plan that is keeping things on track.”
He will start Saturday’s challenge in Lucky Shell beach in Ards with a 3.4km swim to Downings.
He explained the starting point was nominated in memory of the late Ben McFadden from Ards who helped John with fundraising in the past when Ben gave one of his legendary guided tours of his beloved townland and donated the proceeds to Lamb-Shaffer Syndrome research.
John says he will be joined by members of the Gartan Swimmers for support on the first leg of the event and will also see some of his friends lend their support on the cycle and run as well.
Once he completes the 187km cycle route, he begins a full marathon distance of 42.2km starting with a climb up the famed peak of Errigal and crosses the chain known as the Seven Sisters including Muckish before finishing the event in his hometown of Creeslough.
John would like to thank everyone for their support including those who have helped him prepare for the event, as well as all those who have donated to the GoFundMe campaign so far.
To learn more, or to make a donation, please visit www.gofundme.com/f/ironday-cha
