Mayo man taking on 777 endurance challenge for two charities

MAYO business and farming entrepreneur Alan Heaney, from Killasser, Swinford, is preparing to take on one of the world’s most extreme endurance challenges, running seven marathons across seven continents in seven consecutive days, in aid of the Sunflower Children’s Hospice and Mindspace Mayo.

Alan will begin the 777 Challenge on November 15, joining a group of approximately 40 endurance athletes from around the world who will travel across the globe to complete each marathon.

The route will take Alan from the Antarctica to Cape Town, Perth, Singapore, Istanbul, Rio de Janeiro and Miami. Over seven consecutive days, he will face temperatures ranging from minus 30 degrees to more than 40 degrees, while dealing with long-haul flights, changing time zones and limited recovery time between marathons.

He is already well into his preparations, running half-marathons three mornings a week, cycling 50 kilometres two evenings a week and regularly doing gym and sauna sessions, as he builds towards the challenge.

This year marks Alan’s tenth consecutive year taking on an ultra-endurance challenge for charity, an incredible milestone that reflects his commitment to pushing his physical limits while raising vital funds for causes close to his heart. In that time, Alan has raised more than €285,000 for various charities across multiple challenges, including the Marathon des Sables race (six marathons unsupported across the Sahara Desert.

This is the fourth time that Alan has fundraised for Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation, with proceeds going towards the new Sunflower Children’s Hospice, which will provide specialist care for children with life-limiting conditions and their families. A percentage of the funds raised will also go to Mindspace Mayo, a charity Alan supports every year. Alan covers all expenses associated with his challenges himself, meaning every cent raised goes directly to his chosen charities.

Alan is the co-founder and owner of Efficient Farm Systems (EFS), Animal Health Monitoring Systems Ltd. and both Lely Mullingar and Lely Kilkenny which deliver robotic feeding, cleaning and milking solutions to both dairy and beef farms nationwide, which optimise animal health and performance while at the same time significantly reducing farmers’ workloads.

Speaking ahead of the challenge, Alan said: “I am a very active person who fills the day from end to end with farming, business matters, coaching kids and personal fitness. About 10 years ago, I made a deal with myself that I would maintain a perpetual body fitness, one that would allow me compete in a triathlon, Hyrox, football match, marathon, duathlon, etc. Whatever it may be, at short notice and the next day. Basically, I’m ready for any sporting challenge any day, any time anywhere!

“I love keeping fit and challenging myself, I am very active in local voluntary community groups but particularly coaching both GAA and LGFA underage teams. I part-time farm too so I’m pretty busy all day every day - but the biggest motivation for me is knowing that what I’m doing can make a real difference to other people, those less fortunate. When you take on something like this, there are going to be lots of tough long days, but knowing you’re helping to make a genuine difference to families keeps you going and driving on.

“I’m delighted to support the Sunflower Children’s Hospice this year. I’ve seen how Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation delivers on its promises. Mayo Hospice in Castlebar and Roscommon Hospice in Roscommon town were both delivered on time and under budget, and that gives me huge confidence in the team and what they are working to achieve for children and families across the western seaboard. Martina Jennings and her team are brilliant, and I know that the money raised will go towards making a lasting difference. I’m also supporting Mindspace Mayo again this year, which is another cause very close to my heart.”

He added: “The 777 Challenge is going to be tough; there’s no doubt about that, outside the running, there are so many other factors at play - stomach upsets, dehydration, hyperthermia, hypothermia, digestive upsets, nausea, muscle cramps, blisters, etc. My body is going to take a serious beating, and the changes in temperature and time zones will make it even more difficult. You could be running in freezing conditions one day and extreme heat the next, with very little time to recover. But I’m looking forward to the challenge and, most importantly, to raising as much as possible for both charities.”

Martina Jennings, CEO of Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Alan for choosing to support the Sunflower Children’s Hospice through this extraordinary challenge. This is the fourth time he has fundraised for us which demonstrates an exceptional level of commitment and generosity.

“Taking on seven marathons across seven continents in seven days is an incredible physical and mental challenge, and we wish Alan a safe and successful challenge.”

You can support Alan’s fundraising efforts for the Sunflower Children’s Hospice and Mindspace Mayo here.

Follow Alan’s progress on Facebook, or follow him at Alan Heaney Adventures (@alanheaneyadventures) or Alan Heaney (@heaneytweets) / X.