A brave runner completed an incredible two-and-half marathons in one day to raise funds for a Clondalkin man who suffered life-changing injuries in a mountain bike accident.
Eoghan Gorman was paralysed from the neck down after he was involved in the horrific accident in the Dublin Mountains in October 2021. The 24-year-old worked as a cabinet maker and excelled at kickboxing and Taekwondo before the dreadful accident.
His family and friends have since launched a fundraiser to allow his to come home from hospital and get the care he needs. Fellow Clondalkin man Mark Conlon was so moved by Eoghan's plight that he decided to take on the incredible running challenge last month to help the appeal.
Read more: Family of Dublin man paralysed in horrific mountain bike crash 'torn apart' by accident
Mark completed 106km in 16 hours, raising thousands for Eoghan in the process. Mark told Dublin Live: "I started off at the Dublin City Marathon at 9:15am. I ran that and it took me five hours and two minutes.
"When I got to the finish line, of course everyone is ecstatic and sitting there talking about it and looking at their medal. But I literally threw on two bags and I walked three hours from there to Clondalkin, dropped the two bags and then went out for the night."
Mark then completed circuits of Clondalkin, Tallaght and Lucan, finally finishing 77km at 1:30am the following morning. He was joined by a number of friends and supporters who kept him going throughout the night.
"Jay Morris is from Bawnogue Running Club, he did 24km with me, the most he's ever done," said Mark. "Michelle Morris did 5km with me. She's also from Bawnogue Running Club and she supported us all night.
"Vanessa Ryan came out and supported us all night with her kids Mia, McKenzie and Sage. Elaine Hyland was the girl who put me in touch with Eoghan in the first place and she was there supporting us as well."
Mark was also joined by Sean Morrissey, who ran the entire night with him. Sean was there on the day of Eoghan's accident and performed CPR on him and stopped him from swallowing his tongue.
"He's Eoghan's best friend and he actually saved Eoghan's life that day in the mountains. He ran 77km with me all through the night, which was fantastic," said Mark. "When I came back from the Dublin Marathon I was struggling big time so without them I couldn't have done it."
The big-hearted runner, who has completed a number of ultra-marathon challenges for charity, also thanked a number of sponsors, as well as the man who got him back running after a year-and-a-half of injuries.
"Luas sponsored me €1,000 and Hughes Bingo and Snooker Rooms donated €500," said Mark. "Sam in the Logo Shop in Lucan did the t-shirts up and has been a long time sponsor. Asics looked after me, Dublin Bus and Dowlings Butchers sponsored €300 each and Mr Patrick Finbarr Leahy is the man who got me back running. He did laser surgery on my Achilles five days before the event because I couldn't run properly."
Jim Agnew, the Dublin City Race Director, also gave Mark a medal for Eoghan for the Dublin City Marathon and Dublin City Half-Marathon which he ran in his honour. Mark recently met up with Eoghan to hand over those medals and urged anyone who can to help support Eoghan and his family.
You can donate to Eoghan's fundraiser here. You can also follow his journey on Facebook, Instagram and his website.
Read next:
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