Ballina woman to run 100 miles in a day for charity

A Ballina woman is to take on the extraordinary challenge of running 100 miles in one day.

Elaine Cloonan-Timoney will take on the ‘Run for Richie’ on February 28 at the Ballina Athletic Track to fundraise for the Irish Hospice Foundation (Mayo/Roscommon) and Oncology Services at Sligo University Hospital.

While it is the first time such a feat has been attempted in Ballina and indeed, it is the first time a woman in Connacht will run 100 miles around a 400m track, Elaine is no stranger to ultramarathons such as this.

“I have done almost 30 official marathons and many more in training and as I mingled with the running crowd, I heard word ‘Ultramarathon’ and was curious,” she said.

“I had never planned on doing 100 miles. I never planned on doing 100km either but sometimes things other people say cause a little spark in me.”

Elaine sadly lost both of her parents in recent years and wants to give back to those who cared so diligently for them.

“The reason I want to do this is not only to support the organisations I have mentioned above but to demonstrate my gratitude and empathy in a tangible way and to show my children how they can give back to their community,” she said.

Elaine said she would love for people to join her for a lap around Ballina Athletic Track on February 28. Donations to this worthy cause can be made via the ‘Run for Richie’ iDonate page and you can follow Elaine’s 100 mile journey on the runforrichie1 Instagram or Facebook page.

Link: https://www.idonate.ie/crowdfunder/RunForRichie