Carrick-on-Suir man Gary Russell is once again lacing up his running shoes to take on an extraordinary challenge for a cause close to his heart.

Starting September 1st, Gary will run 235 kilometres over 10 days to raise vital funds and awareness for the Solas Cancer Support Centre.

This year’s distance carries special significance. In 2023, the Solas Centre received 1,294 calls, of which 870 were first-time callers. Just 27% of those were men. To highlight the low level of male engagement, Gary has chosen to run 23.5km each day—representing that 27%—over the course of 10 days.

“I want to raise a few euros for the Solas Centre, but also to get more men to engage with them and avail of the services they offer,” Gary explained. “Men can talk for hours about hurling, soccer, or pints, but when it comes to health or emotions, a wall goes up. We need to break that down.”

More Than Just a Run

The feat is equivalent to running five and a half marathons in just 10 days. But for Gary, it’s not just about testing physical limits—it’s about perspective.

“I’m not going to say it won’t be tough,” he admitted. “There will be days I’m tired. But then I’ll think of the families going through cancer treatment, those who’ve lost loved ones, and that’s the real toughness. Remembering who I’m doing it for will keep me going.”

Gary has been a committed fundraiser for Solas since 2021, raising over €9,000 to date through a series of endurance challenges. Despite the miles he has logged in training—over 870 miles since March—he insists he gets just as much out of the experience as the charity does.

“People say, ‘You’re great for doing it,’ but honestly, I feel privileged. The Solas Centre makes everyone who walks in feel at ease. If that’s how they make me feel, I can only imagine the support they give to those availing of their services.”

Community Support and Future Plans

Gary’s runs will start most mornings around 5:30am in Carrick-on-Suir, and he welcomes encouragement from locals who spot him along the way. He also teased that this challenge is only the beginning—he has five more fundraising ventures lined up to carry him well into his 50s.

For those who would like to support his efforts, donations can be made through Gary’s social media pages: Instagram (@garyrussell29) and Facebook (Gary Russell), where links to his fundraiser are available.

As he looks ahead to another 10 days of pounding the roads, Gary remains upbeat:
“I’m buzzing for it. By September 10th, the pride of finishing and handing over that cheque to Solas is worth every step.”

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