Epic run to raise pulmonary fibrosis awareness after diagnosis of Ballintubber man
Ed Swain and Ian Macbeth will start the 217 kilometres challenge from The Spire in Dublin and hope to arrive at the Spanish Arch in Galway on Thursday afternoon.
An epic run from Dublin to Galway will be undertaken tomorrow, Wednesday to raise funds and awareness of pulmonary fibrosis following the diagnosis of a Ballintubber man last year.
Ed Swain and Ian Macbeth will start the 217 kilometres challenge from The Spire in Dublin and hope to arrive at the Spanish Arch in Galway on Thursday afternoon.
Ed’s wife’s Claire Swain told the Roscommon Herald they are hoping to raise awareness about pulmonary fibrosis—a life-limiting and progressive lung condition that currently has very limited treatment options.
She stated: “Last year, my father Brendan from Ballintubber, Co. Roscommon was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis. Since then, we’ve come to understand not just the physical challenges of the disease, but also the emotional and logistical burdens it places—especially on people living in rural Ireland. Every appointment means travel hours and waiting room visits , added expenses, and a deep sense of isolation from accessible resources or local support group for people with the same condition.
“The ILFA- Irish Lung Fibrosis Association achieve incredible work with research and improving services. We are grateful to all that they give to these patients and look forward to their future plans. To do this, it is not achievable without much needed funds.
“To raise awareness and funds for the Irish Lung Fibrosis Association, my husband Ed and Ian Macbeth have decided on a mammoth challenge with the support of a one man crew for safety . This is all going to be taken undertaken on his 40th birthday, 11th June, from Dublin to Galway. It is part of a three ultramarathon challenge in under nine weeks (including 102 miles in Chester and 100kms in Snowdonia).
“This effort is not only in support of my father, but for the many families across the country facing similar battles with few resources and limited local follow on resources for such a diagnosis. I know too well the devastation of what this disease carries not only as a family member but I am a Respiratory and Palliative Nurse in the UK, in search of all available resources that could be offered to him with the distance between us.
“I want to ensure that he gets the same opportunities as another people for a good quality of life with accessible resources to him with this diagnosis. We are grateful to Dr Michael O’ Mahony at the university Hospital Galway and his team who supports my father as his Respiratory consultant.
“Our goal is to shine a light on this often-overlooked illness and the extra strain it places on those living outside major cities. We hope the challenge might bring more people together with the same condition and to start a local support group in the Roscommon area. Currently, the closest area for a support group is Tullamore with the ILFA and we need to do better for improved quality of life.”
Fore more information or to donate log onto justgiving.com and search The Triple Ultra Challenge.
