James does 170km to honour his father
Mullingar is to be an end point on one day (today, Thursday), and the start point on the next, for Moate man James Gillivan, who has launched an extraordinary four-day endurance challenge, RUN4MND, to raise funds for the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA).
The four-day marathon challenge is in honour of James’s father, Andy Gillivan, who lost his battle with motor neurone disease (MND) earlier this year.
James aims to cover more than 130km from Athlone to Dublin on foot before running a further 42km in the Dublin Marathon on October 27, and he is calling on supporters to help him increase awareness and funding for those affected by MND. He has already raised €19,000.
RUN4MND is not James’s first athletic feat, but it is his most ambitious to date. Starting in Athlone on October 24, James will run along greenways and the Royal Canal for three consecutive days, stopping in Mullingar on day one, and starting from Cusack Park at 9.14am on day two (October 25) for the leg that will take him to Enfield. On day three, he will run from Enfield to Croke Park, and day four is Dublin Marathon day.
“The charity is close to my family’s heart, as they gave my Dad remarkable care and support as he bravely faced this disease,” said James. “He was a wonderful man who loved his family and community and met every challenge head-on. RUN4MND is my way of honouring him and giving back to IMNDA for all they did for our family. I hope my journey will raise awareness of this ruthless disease and the essential services IMNDA provides.”
IMNDA CEO Kevin Burn expressed his gratitude: “James’s RUN4MND is a testament to his commitment to honouring his father’s memory, as well as to his desire to make a difference for families affected by MND.
His remarkable journey will help drive our mission, and we’re incredibly grateful for his support.”
For more on James’s journey, to join along the route or to donate to RUN4MND, see idonate.ie or contact the IMNDA imnda.ie.
James has posted a video where he shares his story – search: James Gillivan 4 Marathons in 4 Days on YouTube.