Míša goes the distance to support Limavady charity with 33k birthday challenge

Limavady runner Míša Manová celebrated her birthday this year in a truly unforgettable way by taking on a unique challenge to raise money for the Limavady Community Development Initiative (LCDI).

A dedicated member of the Roe Runners group, she marked her 33rd birthday alongside her fellow runners by pushing her limits in a test of endurance, adventure, and personal growth.

Her fundraising effort was both physically and mentally demanding with 3.3 km covered every three hours, completing ten runs in total and clocking up an impressive 33km over 27 hours.

Explaining her motivation, Míša shared why she chose to support LCDI through such an innovative challenge:

“LCDI is a Limavady charity and I wanted to support a local charity.

“I also wanted to do something special for my birthday and I was inspired by John Butcher’s fundraising charity run last year.

“The funds raised will go towards LCDI, a community development initiative providing so much local support including food banks and baby banks, adult day care, fuel poverty schemes and so much more!

“I was absolutely surprised by the support from the running community.

“It is incredible, even Limavady people passing by in their cars beeping the horn, amazing!

“There are five people doing all the runs with me and we cheer each up between runs!”

Karen Cochrane, the Social Inclusion Project Officer from LCDI extended her sincere thanks to Míša for selecting LCDI as the beneficiary of her fundraising challenge:

“We are so excited, this is a great honour for us.

“This is a real challenge for Míša and although we’re not running, we’re here to support her!

“The money will go towards the social supermarket, the food bank and the baby bank, as those are the projects which are really in need at the moment.”

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Míša only took up running 18 months ago, beginning her journey through the Couch to 5K programme organised by the popular Limavady-based running group, Roe Runners.

She is a regular at Limavady’s Parkrun, which takes place each Saturday morning, and often gives up her time to volunteer at the event.

Míša’s Roe Runners coaches, Catherine and Gary are incredibly proud of Míša and everything she has achieved in such a short time.

Since completing her first Couch to 5K milestone in October 2024, she has steadily progressed to 10K and 10-mile distances, and now boasts several half marathons to her name.

Catherine spoke about the demanding nature of the challenge Míša undertook:

“The most difficult part of this challenge is not the distance, it is repeating it every 3 hours, continuing it in the dark throughout the night, and into the following morning again, regardless of the weather conditions you have to face.” 

“If it was easy, everyone would do it; it is a case of Run, Sleep, Eat, Repeat!”

Roe Runners coach Gary praised the local running community as phenomenal, highlighting how Míša and her fellow runners have grown in both ability and enthusiasm for the sport:

“Roe Runners began in 2022 and has grown tremendously.

“It started with only nine people and has now well over 60 members.

“The runners enjoy following a structured plan with a variety of sessions and training locations, as well as their own social group runs.”

Catherine continued: “Running is a very supportive community, and it is great to see so many from other local clubs and groups join in to help Míša with her challenge.”

Donations can be made to Míša’s fundraiser on Go Fund Me