Athlete Joanne plans to run 12 marathons for Christmas

It’s just as well that athlete Joanne Fearon isn’t superstitious. The ultra runner and triathlete is used to challenges, so beginning one on Friday the 13th is no different to any other — and she takes them all in her stride.

“My challenge is a variation of the 12 pubs of Christmas where I plan to run a marathon each day for the 12 days leading up to Christmas,” explains Joanne, in between sharp intakes of breath as she picks up the pace on the treadmill in Maher sports shop on Oliver Plunkett St in Cork.

Joanne is running the 12 marathons (42.2km each day) to raise funds for the neonatal ward of Cork University Maternity Hospital — added to the further challenge of feeding her newborn daughter.