This article is from page 24 of the 2008-03-25 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 24 JPG
MARATHON man Pat O’ Keeffe is taking on the ultra challenge in run- ning on April 6, and his efforts are all in aid of a children’s charity.
The Sixmilebridge-Kilmurry na- tive, who now lives with his young family in Quin, will undertake Ire- land’s only on-road ultra marathon in Connemara for the first time ever.
Initially the army man took part in the mini marathon, later progress- ing to the full marathon.
Despite a back injury before Christmas Pat is now planning on the longest race in the country: the 39.3-mile ultra marathon through the hills of Connemara.
His efforts will all be in aid of the Ronald McDonald House.
The father of two became involved in fundraising for the charity when a colleague’s child had to avail of its Services.
The Irish Ronald McDonald House is 15,000 square feet stand- alone building on the grounds of Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Chil- dren, Crumlin.
The house gives a home from home to the families of children who have to stay in the national children’s hospital.
It caters for families, who has to travel a journey of two hours or more to Crumlin Children’s Hospi- tal, and whose child who is hospi- talised or undergoing treatment as an outpatient for five days or more.
The House has 16 en-suite family bedrooms. There are three kitchens and a large dining area.
Pat hopes to support the house with his fundraising effort.
A keen runner since before he
joined the army, this April will be the ultimate challenge in road rac- ing for the athlete.
In order to raise funds for this good cause Pat will be outside Pa- per chase in Dunnes Stores, Ennis next Saturday collecting donations.
He also has numerous sponsorship cards in local businesses.
The kind army man said while he has no fundraising target in mind, he hopes to raise as much as pos- sible for the children’s charity.
The 2007 Connemara Internation- al Marathon has already attracted a sell-out of 3,600 entries with repre- sentation from 30 countries.