Runner of the week: Gareth Armstrong
Each week profiles one of the runners taking part in the ‘Irish Examiner’ Cork City Marathon this June
Gareth Armstrong from Ballynahinch, Co Down, is running this year’s Cork City Marathon to raise funds for the Meningitis Research Foundation.
Gareth contracted viral meningitis in 2014 and made a full recovery, returning to full health after two years.
He hopes to raise both funds for the charity and awareness of the symptoms of meningitis, particularly in adults.
“Meningitis is unheard of and untalked about in adults,” he said. “It’s mostly associated with children and babies. I want to raise awareness of the symptoms so people know what to look out for.”
In 2016 and 2017 he completed six full marathons and 12 half-marathons.
This year, Gareth will run marathons in Berlin and Chicago, his second and third World Marathons after completing his first at the London Marathon. He remains on target to complete all six, finishing with Boston, New York, and Tokyo.
He says running the Irish Examiner Cork City Marathon, however, will be extra special. “I have a strong affection towards Cork. I spent every summer in Cork when I was a child.
“Even today I have lots of friends in the Ballydehob area and my dream is to settle down someday in West Cork.”
Gareth’s ultimate running goal is to be the first person from Northern Ireland to run the North Pole Marathon next year.
Training for the intense marathon includes running in an industrial freezer at 40C. While Gareth is on track for the North Pole Marathon, he is still seeking sponsorship for the event.
“I don’t know if I’ll win it but I’ll give it a good try. I’m just hoping to finish it!”
For more information on Gareth’s marathon training see: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/gareth-armstrong7
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