Tipperary cyclist with Parkinson's completes marathon-distance challenge for charity

A man who just celebrated his 70th birthday living with Parkinson’s has completed a marathon-distance cycling challenge through the Algarve, combining country roads, coastal paths and farmland routes, to raise funds and awareness for Parkinson’s UK.

Joe Lacy, originally from Moyglass, and now living in Quarteira in the Algarve, Portugal, cycled 26 miles over the same weekend as the London Marathon, marking the occasion in his own way having previously completed the event three times as a runner.

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Joe was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2014 after first noticing that his left arm was no longer swinging as he walked.

At the time, he also experienced a slight tremor, which he initially attributed to stress.

Before his diagnosis, Joe ran short distances to listen to podcasts and had completed a few fun runs.

However he harboured an ambition to take on the KL Malaysian Marathon.

When that opportunity fell through, he turned his focus to the London Marathon, which he went on to complete three times.

For his cycling challenge, Joe designed a route that took in the Algarve’s diverse landscape, including country roads, farm tracks, olive groves, orange plantations, marina paths and coastal promenades.

While Joe remains highly active, Parkinson’s continues to affect his daily life in unpredictable ways.

Fatigue and concentration challenges can impact his golf performance, and he must carefully manage his medication to maintain consistent periods of movement during games.

He has experienced many of the more than 40 symptoms associated with the condition at different times.

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Joe said: “Since my diagnosis, exercise has been a vital part of how I manage my Parkinson’s. The mental side has been the hardest to overcome. There are days when, for no physical reason, you can barely move. These are the hidden parts people don’t always see. Taking on this cycling challenge was about showing what people living with the condition can achieve, while highlighting just how important staying active can be.

“I hope this ride raises both awareness and vital funds for Parkinson’s UK, and encourages others to see the positive impact exercise can have.”

Ailsa Draga, a Community Fundraiser from Parkinson’s UK said: “We are so grateful to Joe for completing this fantastic challenge and for sharing his story.

“Parkinson's is a complex brain condition that gets worse over time. Affecting around 166,000 people in the UK, it has more than 40 symptoms, from tremor and pain to anxiety, and there is currently no cure.

“On behalf of everyone at Parkinson’s UK, thank you to Joe for raising awareness and showing the powerful role exercise can play in living well with Parkinson’s.”

So far, Joe has raised over £4,000 for his fundraising challenge.

Those who wish to support Joe and make a donation can visit www.justgiving.com/page/joe-lacy-1.