On Saturday 29th June 2019, a Portavogie man made his start on running the whole way around the island of Ireland for charity.

Noel Johnston is the man we are referring to and his target is to run over 50 miles every day for 20 days consecutively. As you read this article he is on day 10 of his run and, hopefully, is at the halfway stage. GardenCare of Carryduff and GardenCare dealer Francis Watson’s of Cloughey are supporting Noel with his efforts.

Ultramarathon man, Noel Johnston, takes time for a photo on the Greenway at Kilmacthomas, Co. Waterford

Lapping the island and covering 1000 miles on foot. This is the latest fundraising effort by Noel on behalf of Jordan’s Gift, a charity that is helping young people who are disadvantaged due to disability, social deprivation and social need. Running 1,000 miles around the Irish coast while sleeping in the woods would be some people’s idea of a nightmare. In fact, the former Northern Ireland U19 international is no stranger to “excruciating” tests of physical and mental endurance. The dad-of-one took on a 40 day marathon challenge for the Simon Community last year, while in 2016 he cycled 2,000 miles across Poland to help a child with a rare condition. He went around the Isle of Ireland three times within 6 months, once running, once cycling and once walking. This latest challenge is his biggest so far.

"This is done as Ultramarathons. I plan to do it faster than before as I intend to run for 10 to 12 hours a day.

“I had never done a marathon before 2016 and ran 40 in 40 days. Now I hope to successfully attempt 40 in 20 days.

"When you do these things it hurts, but when you go through all that pain and suffering there is a moment of bliss and the journey transcends you in more ways than one.

"Anybody can do it if you really have to do it. I want others to think if he can do it, we can do it. Because that is how I look at life.”

The coach and motivational speaker is spending any nights where accommodation was unattainable in the wilderness. Surviving in nature, washing in the rivers and lakes and cooking by fire. Noel started the challenge in Cloughey and ran South towards Newcastle, finished at Warrenpoint on day one. He then continued South passing through Dublin, Wexford, Waterford, Cork, Kerry, before heading north along the wild Atlantic way until he reaches the North Coast and homeward bound. You can follow his journey on Facebook @ Noel Johnston. Or Call to run with him +447930222304. Alternatively you can click on the following link and donate to this great cause https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/runtheislandii

Special thanks go to GardenCare dealer Francis Watson’s of Cloughey and Gardencare of Carryduff for supporting this fundraising event.