BROTHERS IN SYNC FOR 100KM RUNS!

TWO BROTHERS COMPLETE 100KMS IN NEW ZEALAND AND DUNDALK

TWO Dundalk brothers have completed a 200 kilometre challenge - from opposite ends of the globe!

Chris Menary, who lives in Dundalk, and his brother John, who moved to New Zealand three years ago, decided to each run 100 kilometres as a fundraiser for Pieta House.

Speaking to the Argus, they told how it was not only physically challenging, but emotionally tough too, as it was done in memory of their youngest brother.

Their baby brother Robbie passed away suddenly passed away suddenly in 2019 Robbie, at just 26 years old.

Two years previous to Robbie’s death, his son Carson was still born, something which the brothers said he ‘never ever got over.’

‘On top of having ADHD Robbie was now grieving for the loss of his baby. His mental health started to deteriorate and unfortunately it was something Robbie struggled to deal with. Although Robbie didn’t die from mental health he did die with mental health isssues.’

The family had to wait almost a year to find out the cause of Robbie death.

‘It was a bit heart-warming to hear it was health complications rather than suicide but we understand as a family that it isn’t always that way for families who know that their loved ones took their own life.’

The loss of their own brother was exacerbated when just six weeks after Robbie passed away, his best friend Ian took his own life.

‘Our lives have changed in the last fifteen months in a way that we never ever dreamt it would,’ said John.

‘ This has led to us wanting to challenge ourselves and raise much needed funds for a very worthy cause so more families do not have to go through what we have been going through.’

Pieta House provides a free, therapeutic approach to people who are in suicidal distress and those who engage in self-harm.

It was Robbie’ s birthday last week, July 2nd and in his memory me and Chris decided to run 100km each throughout June.

‘Those who know me know that although I am into my fitness, running is not my strongest point, but I took on the challenge over the 30 days.’

Chris added that he and his brother keep in touch on Facetime and text message from

Above, John Menary who lives in New Zealand and his brother Chris who lives locally.

different ends of the world, and helped to keep each other motivated.

‘I’m not a runner at all, but I set out to do 5 kilometres every day, five days a week, and see how I got on. After a while I really noticed I could do more, and the most I did in one way was 15 kilometres, which I was really pleased with.’

Although he was just pipped to the post by his brother John in completing the 100kilometres, ‘I reckon he is ahead of me in time, so of course he was going to get there first!’ Chris added the healthy competition kept them both going.

He said they were ‘absolutely stunned by the support’ with well over €4000 donated to the fundraiser ahead of the closing date, after which they can.

‘We hope these donations make a change to families across Ireland today and help promote a world where suicide, self-harm and stigma have been replaced by hope, self-care and acceptance.’