Mark to run four marathons in one day for charity

MARATHON man Mark Conlon will run four marathons in one day for charity.

Clondalkin man Conlon, will take on the task on the day of the Dublin Marathon, October 27.

Although he is well known for his many charity long-distance runs over the years, Mark admits “this is the most severe challenge yet.”

To complete four marathons in 24 hours, a total of 104 miles, he will have to run them almost one after the other, with minimal breaks.

Mark is running for the Bone Marrow For Leukaemia Trust.

The Dublin Marathon will be the second of four planned long-distance challenges he plans to complete on October 27.

In April, Conlon (41) completed 12 marathons in 12 days for the Trust in a London event.

Mark was inspired to run in the gruelling event due to a close friend Kevin Rooney, a Clondalkin runner who survived an aggressive cancer and rare diseases myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) as well as acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL).

On October 27, Mark will run his first marathon along the Clontarf seafront, up and down eight times which he says has been measured as a marathon distance.

Following the main event, Conlon will then return to Clontarf to run the length of the sea front for the equivalent of two more marathons.

“I’ll start at 12.05am. The only break will be 10 minutes after my first marathon to take a shower in Westwood Club in Clontarf, and a quick change into gear. It will be physically and mentally tough.

“When people are crossing the finish line and have the adrenaline going, I will be halfway there, so it’s going to be strange. My main concern is injury and not being able to do it in 24 hours.”

Mark felt a strong urge to raise awareness for the Trust after hearing the stories of survivors, some of whom will be running the Dublin Marathon this year.

“Up to 30 are running on the day. They all have stories of cancer, bowl cancer, they have lost people to cancer, each has a different story. I have been trying to get their story out, and onto media and radio stations.”

Mark appeals for any sponsors who want to get in touch with him to contact him on Instagram Marathonman8888.

Backgrouund details and updates on his challenge will be posted to his social media.

So far, he has raised €600 HERE.