Mary off on lap of the map
ATHLETE WILL SET OFF AROUND IRELAND ON NEW YEAR’S DAY
A VERY different launch will be taking place from Arklow Lifeboat Station on New Year’s Day as local athlete and community stalwart Mary Nolan Hickey will embark on a run, walk and hike around the coast of Ireland.
Dubbed the ‘Lap of the Map’, the event has been on Mary’s mind for some time, and not content with being the only Irish woman to complete every single Dublin City Marathon since its inception 38 years ago, she is now going a solo run in aid of the RNLI.
Mary is well know for her athletic prowess and in addition to the many marathons, she is also a veteran international runner and has run across the Sahara Desert and completed ultra-marathons.
Now, in her 65 th year, she will complete a full lap of the map of Ireland, going as close to the coast as safely possible, to raise funds and awareness for the brave men and women of Ireland’s RNLI Lifeboat Service.
‘I wanted to prove that a woman of a certain age can take on a challenge like this. It wouldn’t have been thought about years ago. It is also a personal challenge for me as this year marks my 50th in athletics. Being a coastal dweller and a rower, the RNLI is very close to my heart and I would love to raise some funds for them in support of the wonderful voluntary work they do year in, year out,’ Mary said.
During this challenge which will run into months, Mary will travel up hill and down dale in all parts of Ireland’s coastal roads and laneways.
She will, like the many RNLI crews around the coast battle tough weather conditions and terrain.
The crew at Arklow RNLI and our wider community are 100 per cent behind Mary and they are asking all of the lifeboat volunteers and supporters nationwide along with all of their colleagues, friends and families in all of the other services to get on board and show your support for this fundraiser.
It is hoped that this community can ensure that Mary will have somewhere to put her head down every night before she continues on the next leg of her 5,000km journey.
‘All of us at Arklow RNLI are very proud of and fully behind Mary, we’d like to encourage all of our fellow volunteers right around the coast to get on board and see what they can do to assist Mary in her goal, I am contactable at 00353 - 868260439 if any wants to speak about getting on board in any small way or you can talk to Mary’s team direct, all details are on the website,’ said Mark Corcoran of Arklow RNLI.
Full details of this challenge are available at www.rnlilapofhemap.com