For most of us running one marathon in our life is something we’d shudder at.
But 20-year-old Clare lad Rhys Cosgrove is not like most of us.
That's because he is to run five marathons over five days in October for a very good cause.
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Rhys, who works for Johnson and Johnson in Limerick is in training for the unique challenge which will kick off on October 5.
“On the Wednesday, I’d start outside my house in Clonlara, Co Clare. On Thursday, I’ll head to Johnson and Johnson where I’ll do a loop around Kilmurry. On Friday, I’ll head back to my old school, where I’ve a two kilometre route around that. Saturday will bring me to the University of Limerick, and on the Sunday, I’ll finish back in Clonlara,” explained Rhys.
Unsurprisingly, he’s a keen athlete and has been training for 10 hours a week in the run up to the challenge, where he hopes to raise thousands of euro for Limerick Treaty Suicide Prevention (LTSP), which provides patrols of the banks of the River Shannon and assistance to people who may be in distress.
It’s not the first time Rhys has hit the tracks for a good cause – this time last year, he ran 100km in a day for Milford Hospice.
He’s more than doubling the challenge this time though, covering 210km in total in various loops.
He says he doesn’t mind covering loops because it provides an element of predictability in terms of how to pace himself, and planning.
Rhys thanked his employer for its support alongside his parents Brian and Estelle.
“Being able to work in a workplace where they’ll give you opportunities like this and such strong support is brilliant. They’ve been helping me with logistics, posting about my progress and I cannot thank them enough.”
Asked why he is supporting LTSP, Rhys said: "Fundraising opportunities are vital for a voluntary organisation like them. That is why I hope to raise as much money as possible for this life-saving group of volunteers. Limerick really would be lost without them.''
To donate, search Miles for the Mind on GoFundMe.
Or visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/mftmjnj.
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