A fundraising page has been set up for Ballincollig native Aoife Cooke to ensure her dream of competing at the Tokyo Olympics is realised.

Aoife won the Cheshire Elite Marathon last month and secured the qualifying time for the Tokyo Olympics.

She has shown considerable dedication and determination to overcome injuries on her journey to the pinnacle of her sport. 

Aoife took up a US scholarship at Arkansas Tech University when she was 17 but unfortunately, due to overtraining and undereating, Aoife suffered a series of pelvic fractures.

Doctors diagnosed Aoife with osteopenia (weak bones) and Aoife returned to Cork, believing she’d never run again.

Years later, after undergoing strength training and improving her nutrition, Aoife once again laced up her runners and last month recorded a winning time of 2:28:36 in Cheshire. 

While working 30+ hours a week as a personal trainer, Aoife’s schedule also includes running twice a day, clocking 100+ miles a week.

In the coming weeks, Aoife will be heading over to America for altitude and warm weather training so that she will be prepared when she lines up in Sapporo on  August 7 in peak condition, ready to battle the heat, humidity, and competition.

Anyone who would like to help this Ballincollig native to realise her dreams of competing in the Olympics is now able to do so by donating to a dedicated Gofundme page that will help pay the multitude of expenses associated with training to represent Ireland at international level.

To donate, search ‘Help Aoife Cooke’s Olympic dream’ on Gofundme or follow this link.