The ultimate road trip: 60 ultra-marathons in 60 days

Sixty ultra-marathons in 60 days — no bother for a man who only completed his first regular marathon three years ago.

Fri, 24 Jun, 2016 - 01:00

Briona Gallagher

Stevey McGeown is well into his mission to run 63.2km every day for two months — a total of more than 3,862km. He left his home in Armagh on June 1 and will arrive in Cork next week.

Last year, Stevey became the title-holder for running the most consecutive marathons in Ireland. He accomplished 100 marathons in 100 days.

This summer Stevey is attempting the same mileage but in shorter time. Stevey’s current route will take him through each of the 32 counties, visiting every city and most major towns and villages along the way, beginning every day from where he left off only hours before.

This morning, Stevey ran from Foynes in Limerick to Tralee. He will spend next week in Cork, running from Bantry to Mitchelstown before heading right back up the country via the midlands and the east coast. On the last day, July 30, he will run 90km from Drogheda to Armagh.

Burning an average of 6,400 calories a day, Stevey also suffered an early ankle injury and was forced to struggle on with the aid of two walking sticks one day.

Stevey’s wife, Catherine, said: “It is unbelievable what he has come through, the pain he suffered. And yet he has always remained positive. It’s been an emotional journey for everybody involved, people have become invested in his welfare, they can’t believe he has been able to get up day after day and cover that incredible distance. I honestly don’t know anybody else who could do that.”

There are driving forces behind what Stevey describes as “the ultimate road-trip”, in the shape of three deserving charities: The Paddy Wallace Fund for Autism, the Keith Duffy Foundation and Fighting Blindness. Stevey’s target amount to raise is €330,000.