Ten marathons and great views over ten days for Mark in Italy

A CLONDALKIN man recently took on a gruelling endurance challenge when he completed 10 marathons in 10 days to raise funds for all of the children’s hospitals in Dublin.

The impressive feat was achieved by Mark Conlon, 40, who served ten years in the Irish Army and trains with the Clondalkin Flyers Running Club.

Mark is an experienced long-distance runner who has raised funds for many good causes over the years.

For his latest challenge, Mark completed the Orta 10 in10 ultra-marathon at Lake Orta in Italy from August 5 to August 14, which saw him running a marathon every day for ten days.

When asked how he felt when he crossed the starting line of the first of the ten marathons, Mark said he wasn’t daunted by the challenge in front of him, but was concerned about aggravating a previous injury.

“I’m never nervous at the start of an event as extreme as this, because it’s just one day at a time, it’s 50k a day,” Mark told The Echo.

“I was just thinking, I hope my Achilles hold up because I just had laser treatment on both of them a week before and they were both tender.”

The first two miles of the marathons were particularly problematic for Mark, but he powered through and completed each and every marathon across the ten days.

“The stand-out moment on the course was the first two miles,” explained Mark.

“It was all gravel and sharp rocks, so I needed trail runners, but I only had two old pairs of road runners with me with barely any soles left.

“I felt every step after the first 50k. This already took its toll on my body – I had a sore right hip, and my right knee had to be iced by the medic.

“The soles of my feet had blisters and they were throbbing from the nerve damage, and that lasted for about six hours after every race.”

The second part of the course saw the competitors climb a mountain in the baking Italian heat with minimal shade, but they were kept hydrated by at water stations during the marathons.

The course for the ten marathons wound around Lake Orta and provided striking scenery for the small group of runners that embarked on the challenge.

“There was some amazing scenery on this course too,” said Mark, “and little villages with cobblelock.

“All the people were out eating lunch looking at us. It’s not like a normal marathon, there are no spectators along the way.”

Mark was one of only four people who completed the 10 marathon lengths over the 10 days, and felt a sense of relief and achievement when he crossed the finish line on the final day.

“I just walked across the line, and I was so happy to finish this for an amazing charity,” he said.

“Running the last 15 years for different charities and individuals, I never had a chance to run for all the children’s hospitals.

“I’m so delighted that the funds are going to Tallaght, Crumlin, Temple Street and Connolly children’s hospitals.

“I just hope people get behind it, I would love to see [the number of donations] going up.”

Donations continue to be accepted at HERE, while Mark is now recuperating after the 10 marathons, before commencing training for the Dublin Marathon in October.

“In the end, only four runners finished the 10 50k run in 10 days,” he said, when reflecting on his achievement.

“I’m so proud that a fella from Clondalkin, who is not a professional and is just an average runner, is one of them.

“I think everyone out there can do the same kind of events or better – it’s all in the mind.”

Mark added that he would like to thank Dublin Bus, The Rite Bite Deli, K Factory Printing in the Clondalkin Enterprise Centre, and The Laser Treatment Centre on Hume Street for their support.

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