Wheelchair athlete Gerry Forde completes 100 mile Ultra-Marathon

Last weekend, Gerry Forde from Blarney in Co.Cork completed the Connemara 100 mile Ultra-Marathon in a time of 24 hours and 40 minutes. Not only is this a remarkable achievement in itself but it is also a new record for the longest distance ever completed by any wheelchair athlete in Ireland.

The Connemara 100 Ultra-Marathon starts and finishes in the town of Clifden in the heart of Connemara. The 100 mile route threads it's way through the mountains in what is one of the most scenic parts of Ireland. For 2012, there were 25 starters and 20 finished the race.

Gerry's support crew for the event was Michael Haydon from Cork (pictured above) and Finn O'Mara from Mayo. Michael and Gerry are the only two people from Cork who have completed over 100 Marathons each. While Michael has well over 100 Marathons completed at this stage, this was Gerry's 216th Marathon having completed his 200th in Dublin last October!

Starting at 6am on Saturday morning, the weather for the event was mild with a few light showers and some sunshine. From early on, Gerry's strategy for getting through the 100m miles was to take short breaks every hour for food and drinks. After a diet of water, tea, energy drinks, bananas, sandwiches and energy cakes, Gerry finally crossed the finish line in Clifden at 6:40am on Sunday morning.

After this mammoth task, you might think Gerry would take a break but no chance! He is currently planning to do a few more Marathons in Donegal and Kerry in the next few weeks.

(Photos courtesy of Iain Shaw of Athenry AC)