Watch: Legend Zoe and Ultra Ed kick off marathon challenge 

A Roscommon man’s attempt to run almost 1,000 miles for charity kicked off this morning.

Ed Payne began his attempt to run 32 50km ultra marathons in 32 counties, almost 1,000 miles, in 15 days for Castleplunkett girl and legend, Zoe Cryan. Supporters and family members joined Ed and Zoe this morning as they began the colossal undertaking in Drumshanbo.

A renowned endurance athlete, Ed, who is also hoping to break the current record for 32 marathons in 32 counties, is currently running his first 50km ultra marathon in County Leitrim, which will be followed by another in County Sligo today. The challenge, which will see him run in every county in Ireland, will finish in County Roscommon on October 4th.

He is raising money for the Zoe Cryan Trust, with thousands already donated. Zoe, who will turn 12 this month, has a diagnosis of cerebral palsy, and faces a number of significant health challenges. She and her family are hoping to travel to the US to see a specialist surgeon to explore the possibility of jaw realignment surgery, with the hope of improving her speech, oral function and ability to eat. This surgery could cost thousands of euro, which Ed is hoping to help raise.

“I will have to run three marathons on two of the fifteen days. On those days we just have to keep moving and I hope people will come out and run with me. I will be wearing a tracker and it will make my miles clip past quicker if I have someone to talk to. The more the merrier, I would be delighted to see people,” he said.

“That is the plan to do it in 15 days but the most important thing is to raise money for a great cause, so if it takes me two months to do it, that won’t bother me. Whatever else we will be having a lot of fun and banter along the way.”

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