Mayo native embarks on 'ultra walk' for charity

A Mayo man is marking his 60th birthday with a challenging charity fundraiser.

Crossmolina native Peter Corcoran will undertake a 65km Ultra Walk on Friday, September 12, in aid of the Irish Heart Foundation.

Peter will stride from his mother’s birthplace of Carrowteigue to his father’s hometown of Crossmolina. He lost both his parents to heart disease and will honour their memory as well as raising much-needed charity funds.

Peter’s late parents Alex and Breege Corcoran will be familiar names to many. They raised nine children in Crossmolina where they ran a drapery shop. The family also has a shop in Bangor and operated a travelling shop in North Mayo.

"I hope to raise funds for the Irish Heart Foundation while highlighting their Happy Hearts Lottery. I will kick off at midnight from my birthday/walk celebration in Connolly's Lounge, Stonefield, Carrowteige. We will follow an extended route to Crossmolina via Glenamoy, Bangor, Ballycorick and finishing in Crossmolina,” said Peter, who is encouraging others to join him.

“We will have plenty of time to stop off and have a chat and raise a glass to good causes and great people especially in Bangor where my parents were very well loved and had a community of friends. I hope our local friends can join me for 60 slices of cake,” he added.

Peter left Mayo for London where he has worked at Cricklewood bus garage.

“I have been wheeling my fellow Irish people around for the last 35 years. Driving several routes through Cricklewood and Kilburn,” Peter explained.

Peter ran his first marathon at just 17 and has competed in a number of Ironman Triathlons. He has been training hard for his latest endeavour.

“Ultra walks are very different and new to me so using the same muscle group beyond hours has it's challenges."