Kilkenny man humbled by support after finishing demanding fundraising run

Gowran man, David Carter took part in the  ’Ultra 300 Challenge’ over six gruelling days last week, running 50km every day across Co Kilkenny as well as in counties; Carlow, Kildare, Wexford, Waterford and Tipperary.

David braved the challenge in order to raise funds for; the Dillon Quirke Foundation, The Alzheimer Society of Ireland and Young Irelands GAA & Camogie Club in Kilkenny with his efforts garnering almost €42,000 so far.

The enjoyable but at times difficult week was a deeply personal experience for David who combined the run as a fundraiser and memoria for his dad Charlie, who passed away in 2010 aged just 60.

The week also allowed the Kilkenny native to meet faces both familiar and unfamiliar on his travels, who all shared their own unique stories while burning shoe rubber on the roads.

"It felt humbling and a little bit unbelievable," Carter told Kilkenny Live.

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The themes of family and friendship were powerfully represented during one leg of the challenge when 16 members of the family of the late Dillion Quirke put county allegiances aside to join David on the Kilkenny-Tipperary border in Urlingford.

Among them was Dillion’s dad Dan who flew in from Chicago earlier that morning.

"That was a very special moment and they ran with me all the way to Freshford and it was almost a wave of emotion taking you through that,” Carter recalled."

"It was almost a pilgrimage on the last leg from Paddy’s Pub to Gowran and the reception I received was way beyond what I expected but very special to see and we crossed the line with mam and my two brothers which ended an incredible week and journey and I’m just happy to get to the end of it in relatively one piece."

David expressed his thanks to all who supported both in person and online.