Saintfield man’s double marathon charity run

Saintfield man’s double marathon charity run

2 September 2020

A SAINTFIELD man has raised just over £2,700 for a cancer charity by running the equivalent of two marathons in just 13 hours.

Ian Moore recently completed the endurance challenge — where he ran 4.2 miles every hour — in memory of a friend’s late wife.

The money will go to the Friend of the Cancer Centre based in Belfast City Centre which provides equipment and services for patients and their families undergoing treatment and funding vital research.

Known as ‘The Gas Man’ to friends, Ian first got involved with Friends of the Cancer Centre in 2018, running the Belfast City Marathon.

His love for running started much earlier in 2002 when his own mother passed away. 

Having completed his first marathon in 2008, Mr Moore has now completed the Belfast City Marathon five times as well as taking on lots of other running challenges.

He said: “I decided to do the endurance challenge after hearing how charities are struggling due to the effects of Covid-19. I really enjoy running, so I thought, why not do what I love and try to raise some money at the same time? 

“This challenge, compared to normal marathons, was one of mind over matter as the endurance element meant that I had very few breaks between running each 4.2 mile circuit. 

“Although I started off at 12pm on Friday, doing the first loop on my own to get into my stride, I was joined throughout the day by friends and family and this really kept me going. 

“The support from my wife, friends, running buddies from the Saintfield Striders and even my pastor really spurred me on and I think some people surprised themselves by how far they had run too.”

Ian said that he was really touched by a £5 donation from a man who is currently a cancer patient.

“It was mind-blowing to me, to think that someone would make a donation to help other people when he was undergoing treatment himself. I’ll never be able to thank that man, but his donation made me realise how important it is to give back and help make a difference to other people,” he added.

Halfway around the midnight loop, Ian reached his personal goal of completing two marathons and finished his challenge at 1am on Saturday morning.

For 35 years, Friends of the Cancer Centre has been dedicated to making a real and meaningful difference to cancer patients and their families across Northern Ireland.  

The centre relies entirely on the generosity of the local community and all money donated stays in Northern Ireland, directly benefitting patients and their families.

Ana Wilkinson, corporate fundraising manager for Friends of the Cancer Centre, said: “It is only thanks to people like Ian and everyone who sponsored him, that Friends of the Cancer Centre has been able to support local families for over 35 years and continue our support throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. The money raised will make a huge difference to the lives of patients and their families right across Northern Ireland.”  

If you would like to get involved and support local people affected by cancer by taking on a challenge or holding an event for Friends of the Cancer Centre, please contact the charity on 028 9069 9393 or visit www.friendsofthecancercentre.com.