CORK secondary school student Flobater Fares has embarked on a 200km ultra run to raise awareness and funds for Irish Cancer Society.

The 17-year who is a fifth-year student in the North Monastery Secondary School received a huge send-off from his fellow pupils and teachers this morning as he started off on his run from Cork to Galway. Some of the senior students ran as far as the Commons Inn with the athlete in a show of support.

The Cork teenager had previously run 100km when he ran from Cork to Limerick last year. 

This route from Cork to Galway comprises 200km and it is expected to take the young fitness enthusiast around 40 hours to complete. 

The route he intends to follow is from Cork city to Limerick city. He will then run through various routes in county Clare before arriving in Galway city.

He is planning to run 50km every ten hours. It is anticipated he will arrive in Galway on Friday. Due to his strong sporting pedigree, Flobater has been classified as an elite athlete which means he can travel between counties to fulfill his fundraising mission.

The Cork student has two specific aims. He wants to raise as much money as possible for Irish Cancer Society, while he also hopes to make Irish history and become the first 17-year-old to run 200km.

Mr Fares has a very strong sporting background. He is currently a member of the Irish Mix Martial Arts team and he has previously competed at the 2019 World Championship. 

The elite athlete trains at the SBG Cork.

The Cork student is looking forward to completing the challenge. 

“Ultra running is still very new to me. I love creating new challenges to see how much my body can push to."

I will succeed in this run and complete it. Hopefully, I will help to raise awareness and support Irish Cancer Society,” he said.