Cork charity runner: 'I lost 3 grandparents to cancer... I never knew any of them'

Two Cork lads with a love for fitness and big challenges are really going the extra mile to help the fight against cancer.

Alan Minihane and Liam Dinneen are running seven ultramarathons in seven cities - from New York to Cork.

The duo, who met at UCC, started their epic challenge in the Big Apple yesterday (September 15), and end it on September 21 when they run their home city of Cork.

In between, they will run ultramaratahons in Boston, London, Paris, Barcelona, and Dublin.

Alan, 30, from Bishopstown, explains how the idea came about.

“We were away at the start of the year, and we came across people planning some crazy marathons. One Irish group were taking on seven continents!

“Liam and I got talking and we decided to do a similar event in aid of the Irish Cancer Society. We want to help fight cancer. Our journey represents endurance, hope and unity in the fight against cancer,”

Liam, 28, of Douglas, adds: “Every step brings hope, every city tells a story, and together we can make a difference.”

Cancer research is a cause close to Liam’s heart.

“Three out of four of my grandparents passed away due to cancer,” he says. “I never knew any of them.

“I look at myself now at my age and put myself in my parents’ position back then when they lost their loved ones, and I think it is very difficult to think of. My grandmother was very young when she passed away from ovarian cancer.”

Alan, like so many of us, has been affected by the scourge of cancer too.

“My auntie and grandmother both had cancer,” he says. “Liam and I both know so many people, friends and family, who have been affected by it. We both feel strongly that cancer research is vital.”

Why these seven cities?

“Each is associated with cancer research into types of cancer,” says Alan. “New York is for prostate cancer - for sons, fathers, brothers and grandfathers. We are starting there.

“The Memorial Sloane Kettering Institute pioneered advanced treatment and imaging techniques for prostate cancer.

The inspirational list goes on.

“Boston is for breast cancer, for mothers, sisters, and daughters,” says Alan. “London, cervical cancer, for young women and future generations. London gave us the HPV vaccine, drastically reducing the instance of cervical cancer.

Paris is for childhood leukaemia. The Curie-Gustave Institute have led groundbreaking research in paediatric leukaemia research and immunotherapies. Barcelona is for colorectal Cancer, and Dublin testicular cancer.

The final race in Cork is for all cancers - for everyone touched by cancer. UCC drives innovations across multiple cancer types,” says Alan. “We run for every story, every loss, every survivor.”

What is Alan and Liam’s goal?

“Our goal is to raise €77,777 representing hope, perseverance, and the impact of every single step,” says Liam. “Reaching this amount will fund life-changing research and improve treatments and outcomes.”

Do the lads realise they will be landing back in the Rebel County on the same day as the popular The Echo Mini Marathon takes place?

“Ah yes, our logistics went slightly astray!” says Liam laughing. “We’ll be running loops around Marina Market, around the same area as the mini-marathon participants.”

That could prove hazardous?

“Thousands of women could be trampled,” says Alan laughing. “We’ll be cross-running around them!”

The carnival atmosphere of the mini marathon can only add to the buzz of completing their amazing feat, can’t it?

“That is for sure!” says Liam.

The mini marathon is familiar territory for Liam.

“I took part in it last year,” he says. “It’s great fun.”

The training regime the duo did in preparation for their challenge was no picnic.

“We did training six days in the heat,” says Alan, who is based in Barcelona, where pair prepared.

“We were training consistently for four or five months, often clocking up 100km a day, seven hours a day. We are not professional athletes, just two lads into running.”

They are two Cork lads intent on supporting cancer research.

“One in two of us will be diagnosed with cancer in our lifetime,” says Alan. “Cancer doesn’t discriminate. It hits hard, often without warning.

“We’ve seen the impact it has on families, and we believe more can be done through research.

“The challenge is our way of fighting back and funding breakthroughs that saves lives.”

Alan’s mum is very proud of her son.

“Yes, she thinks what we are doing is incredible and she is very proud of our efforts,” he says.

People sent best wishes to the lads ahead of their ultramarathon.

“The support is fantastic,” says Liam. “We’ve received loads of messages from people everywhere wishing us the best of luck.”

Travel and sleep logistics will play a big part in the lads’ preparation for their trip of a lifetime.

“70% of our preparation included travel logistics and grabbing sleep on flights,” says Alan, who wants to thank John Dowling of Folor Construction for sponsoring them.

The lads, friends for seven years, have the common bond of supporting the fight against cancer driving them on in the coming days.

Training so long together, have they fallen out yet?

“No, we have not,” says Alan. “An odd time there may be something brewing all right!”

But brewing a cup of comforting tea solves that though, doesn’t it?

“It always does,” says Alan. “Although we may need couples therapy by the end of September!”

Alan and Liam, running to save people’s lives, are endeavouring to make a difference to generations of people all over the world.

6 out of 10 Irish people survive their cancer diagnosis.

9 out of 10 Irish people survive breast, prostate, and testicular cancers. See www.cancer.ie

See: Run for Research supporting the Irish Cancer Society.