Carrick-on-Suir fitness coach completed five marathon distances in 17.5 hours for Movember campaign
Seán Cooney's Herculean efforts raised close to €7,000 for the men's health awareness campaign
A fitness coach at a Carrick-on-Suir gym accomplished the epic physical challenge of completing five marathon distances within 24-hours last Saturday to raise funds for the Movember men’s health campaign.
Seán Cooney, who works at BodyWorX Gym on New Street, has raised close to €7,000 for the cause thanks to his Herculean efforts on the road and in the gym.
He started his arduous 210km feat at 2.30am on Saturday by running a 26.2 miles marathon from his home at Jonestown, Carrickbeg in county Waterford into Carrick-on-Suir. He ran out to Lower Ballylynch, Carrick and finished the marathon running along the Suir Blueway.
He then moved to BodyWorX Gym and cycled a marathon distance on a gym bike refueling with food as he pedalled.
He completed the next marathon on the rowing machine after which he took a break to rest and eat. His fourth marathon of the day was done on the gym’s ski machine.
Seán, who plays hurling and football with St Molleran’s GAA Club, completed the final marathon challenge on another piece of gym equipment – an assault bike.
“I think it took me 17.5 hours to complete the challenge. It was gruelling enough,” he said. “I was fairly shook on Saturday evening and Sunday was a long day. Walking about was a bit of a challenge but slowly my muscles began to get looser and I am back to normal now.”
Seán did the challenge for the Movember campaign to raise funds for cancer research, particularly for testicular and prostate cancers that affect men, and for suicide prevention.
He decided to take on five marathons in 24-hours as the pain and endurance needed to complete the challenge mirrored the suffering of people with mental health illnesses.
Seán thanked everyone who came to BodyWorX to support him as he progressed through the marathons. “A lot of people did a stint of rowing or cycling with me,” he pointed out.
He thanked all those who brought in baked food to the gym and all who donated to the fundraising campaign.
“And I wish to thank BodyWorx owner Lee Lanigan. Without him I genuinely don’t think I would have been able to do it,” Seán added.
Lee ran the last 15km of the first marathon with Seán.
To donate to Seán’s Movember fundraiser log onto: https//www.instagram.com/p/CkoWEJJtSUT/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=