Ultimate running to help homeless
By Brendan Grehan
TWO EXPERIENCED marathon runners are planning the ultimate challenge in November. Mark Conlon and Noel Ward, who have run over 100 marathons, will be running 50km a day for 22 days all around Ireland starting on November 3 in aid of the homeless.
Mark works for STT security on the Luas and Noel, who is in Dublin Bus, will run from Dublin to Cork, Cork to Galway, Galway to Belfast and back to Dublin.
They have received a lot of support from the local community, including the Clondalkin Community Centre, who have let them use their gym for free to train.
As if Mark cannot take enough punishment, he is off to Italy on August 3 and plans to run 10 marathons in 10 days to get ready for November’s challenge.
Mark told The Echo: “Apart from training I want to start drumming up support for what we are doing in November”
He added: “I’m ex-army ten years and never really got to help our homeless. I’m now working with STT security on the Luas, so I talk to people with drink and drug problems every day.
“I’m always very nice to them and try to offer them advice. I have a big passion to help those who want rehabilitation to get it – that’s where the Simon community comes into it.
“They feed, clothe, and offer accommodation for our homeless and put them into rehabs and lots of other good things. Noel sees the same while working for Dublin Bus.”
They want to raise as much as possible for the Simon community. They have their own Facebook page: Markandnoelsultra marathonforthehomeless and a just giving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mark-noelsultramarathon
