Now that the dust has settled....

We have included a video at the top of the page which was taken during day 8 of John's Run - Enjoy!
Donations have been coming in over the last few weeks and we hope to have a total very soon.
John would like to thank everyone who contributed, helped out, supported and donated during the run, to all the well wishers who came out and cheered him on and to the runners who joined him along the route.
After a well-earned rest John is now focusing on his marathon running and has indicated that Sydney in September is a possibility!

Congratulations John - You Did It !!!!!!

385 miles completed and John reached a sunny Malin Head at approx 3.30pm today.
A fantastic achievement - Well done.

Today started at the Doran residence in Fahan village at 7am and passed through Buncrana, Carndonagh and Malin Town before reaching Bamba's Crown.

We were met by Eilish McDonald and her team of fundraisers in Carndonagh just before mid-day. It was especially nice to see Sarah, Bridgeen and little Sarah who came out to meet John.

Noel, Kevin, Shane and Kathryn all joined John on the road but today was about reaching Malin Head at the end of an amazing 11 days.


Malin Head was busy today with the arrival of approx. 60 cyclists who also made the long journey from Mizen and they stayed at the finish point with their many friends and family to watch the end of the run. Thank you all for your words of support on the Malin Head road and congratulations at the finish!

Needless to say the team enjoyed some celebrations this evening and will enjoy some rest tonight and tomorrow before truly appreciating the extent of what took place over the last 11 days.

Congratulations to John and in his own words "This was the Third and Final Mizen to Malin Run - The Show is Over!"

Day 10.... And We're Almost There!

10 days complete, 1 to go and John and the team although tired are looking forward to reaching Malin Head tomorrow. It has been a long road from Mizen but the end is definitely in sight.

Today started at Newtownstewart (Co. Tyrone) and passed through Sion Mills, Strabane, Derry, Bridgend and finished this evening in Fahan Village. Miles covered today were 33, bringing the total to 356!

John was joined on the road today in Sion Mills by Kevin Boyle and Kevin Óg for a few miles.
Later in the day he was joined by Dominic O'Hara and sons-in-law Shane and Noel.

John crossed the border into Donegal this afternoon and the team are currently under the excellent care and hospitality of Michael and Paddy Doran in Fahan. Michael is enjoying a sleep in his own bed tonight after spending the last 10 days at the wheel of our support camper van.

Many Thanks to the Inishowen Gateway Hotel, Buncrana who kindly offered use of their leisure facilities for the team this weekend.

So roll on tomorrow and a sunny Malin Head (this will make a nice change from the rain we had in 2008 and 2009) Hopefully the view will be worth it!

Day 9

Day 9 and lots of support along the way helped John to complete another 37 miles in the hot sun.
The temperatures today reached 25 degrees - really not comfortable for running so fluid intake and rest in the shade between runs were vital today.

Today started in Enniskillen and passed through Irvinestown, Dromore, Omagh and finished in Newtownstewart.
John has completed 323 miles and although tiredness is setting in among the whole team, spirits remain high as we inch ever closer to the finish at Malin Head on Sunday.

Fundraising took place today in Dromore and Omagh (Asda) with a special thanks to the Down Syndrome group members and their families who were out in force.
To the staff and pupils of Tummery Primary School, Dromore Controlled Primary and St. Dympna's Primary School Dromore for their support along the road and to John's family and many friends who came out in Dromre this afternoon. A special thanks to Cannon Breen and Fr. McAtee for their good wishes.

John was joined on the road today by runners Frank Molloy, Tom Diver, Deirdre Heagney, Peter Skeffington and Sean Devlin - Thank you all for your company.

Lunch today was provided by Joe Mahon and staff at Mahon's Hotel Irvinestown.
The team are spending tonight at the Melon Country Inn courtesy of John Duddy.

Day 10 of 11 tomorrow and we are encouraging anyone in the Strabane, Derry and Donegal areas to come out and show your support!

Day 8 - Into Home Territory

Day 8 on the road today and John managed his longest day completing 38.5 miles.
He arrived into Enniskillen (Co. Fermanagh) this evening just after 6pm in good spirits.

His family and grandchildren were there to meet him as were the UTV Life Camera Crew with Bryan Gallagher from Q101.2

Down's Syndrome fundraisers from Cavan were out in force this morning and temperatures rose again today to almost 25 degrees. John travelled through Butlersbridge, Belturbet and Derrylin and was joined on the road by friend and running companion Jimmy McCarron.

Despite the 5am starts the support team continue to keep the run on schedule and are enjoying accomodation tonight at the Killyhevlin Hotel.

The end is now in sight and John will travel through his home town of Dromore tomorrow. The roads will be familiar and hopefully there will plenty of familiar faces to cheer him along!

Day 7 - In the Sun!

Day 7 started at 7am in a sunny Glassan village, just north of Athlone.

John completed another 36 miles today brining the total to 247.5 and was accompanied today on the road by Shane and Kathryn.

It appears that the running bug is spreading throughout the team with driver Mickey joining in today and jogging for a mile!

More importantly, John crossed the county borders into both Longford and Cavan, making the finishing line at Malin Head seem all that bit closer.

The weather today was very hot, especially in the morning with temperatures reaching 23 degrees - not very pleasant for running but it will take more than just sunshine to hold John back! With just 4 days remaining he is becoming stronger and more confident.

The team have been joined this evening by John's brother-in-law Donal and they have settled for the night in the Slieve Russel Hotel in Ballyconnell. They will have an early night in preparation for an early start again at 7am.

Tomorrow will see John run his longest day with 38.5 miles to cover. He will meet with Downs Syndrome Fundraisers in Cavan in the morning and will finish up in Enniskillen tomorrow evening where he is hoping for a good reception.

Day 6

John started in Birr, County Offaly this morning at 7am as normal.  Finished the 34 miles for today this evening in small town  on the north side of Athlone called Glassan.

Very warm 24 - 25C with tar lifting off road (see photo!)


Staying tonight in Churchside B&B in Tuberclair.  Kathryn and Shane arrived today for a two day stint on the roads with John.  Seamus McDonnell also arrrived to relieve Tim Foley as the van driver.

Everyone ate tonight in the The Fatten Calf, with thanks to the Tattryeagh connection for their donation in the restaurant.

Total miles run to date is 211.

Day 5

Monday 14th June and Day 5 has been completed in style!
John had a great day on the road, feeling very fresh and still injury free. He had interviews with Owen Larkin on Downtown Radio, Inishowen Community Radio and with Brian Gallagher on Q101 West.

33.5 miles today took the run through Nenagh (Co. Tipperary), Borrisokane and into Birr (Co. Offaly) bringing the total to a fantastic 177.5

We were met this morning bright and early in Nenagh by the Down Syndrome fundraising team who were out in force.

We made our way to Borrisokane by lunch time and were met by family friend Joe Hannigan. Joe kindly sponsored our accomodation tonight in The County Arms Hotel in Birr.
Special thanks to the staff at the hotel who couldn't have done more to make us feel welcome, particularly to Siobhan who came into the hotel on her day off to give John a physio rub this evening!
So after a beautiful meal the troops have retired for the night in preparation for tomorrow and another testing day.

Day 4 - All Going Well

Today started after a restful night at the Innisfree B&B in Charleville. Thanks to Moira and Tom Gleeson for their hospitality and fine breakfast.

A Sunny morning John started off at 7am joined by Shane & Noel  and today we passed through Croom, Patrickswell and Limerick City, then through Birdhill and we have settled for the night in Castlecranna (about 6miles from Nenagh  - Co. Tipperary) Total miles for today 35  - bringing the total to an amazing 144!

The fundraisers were out in force today in Limerick as John's run has also co-incided with the Special Olympics Ireland Games. We were met with lots of support on the road as families made their way home southwards from Limerick - thank you for all the cheers and car horns!

Paul O'Connor and his team of volunteers helped to organise our passing through Limerick City, we stopped to meet fundraisers and their families and  a special mention must go to Caroline (pictured right)who had a busy weekend as she was singing at the Special Olympics aswell as collecting money during John's arrival in Limerick.

John was also interviewed by Leon Costello who works for TV3 and hopefully the footage will be broadacast over the coming days.

Tonight the team are having a well earned rest at The Avondale B&B just outside Nenagh.

John is in good spirits, enjoying the experience so far and is looking forward to the onward journey towards more familiar roads.

As a reminder John will be talking live to Brian Gallagher on Q101.2 FM tomorrow morning and every morning next week at approx. 10.30am. You can listen live HERE

Lots more photos also uploaded on the slide show to the right - have a look!

Day 3 - Update

Day 3 completed and John and the team are all tucked up for the night in Charleville.

John completed 37 miles today bringing the total to 109 miles and we are glad to report he is injury free.

The run passed through Mallow, Buttevant and Charleville today. A very warm day so we are praying for cooler temperatures over the next few days. We have had so many well wishers and messages of support so thank you to you all.

Cork is a beautiful county and we met some fantastic people but we will be glad to cross the border into Limerick tomorrow.
Noel and Shane will be running with John until we reach Limerick where fundraising plans are in place thanks to Paul O'Connor and his volunteers.

Please keep the messages of support coming in as they are all being passed to John and he will need them all over the days ahead.

Day 2 On the Road

Friday 11th June and another 36 miles completed bringing the total to 72 - well done John!
Weather was in our favour today again and even though it was quite warm the sun did not get out fully so the report from the road was "Good Weather for Running"

Today we passed through Dunmanway, Shanlaragh, Kilmichael, Macroom and Coachford and we are staying the night in Westwood Country House in Tower, near Blarney.

Many thanks to the fundraisers who came out in Macroom and to Gerard Buckley and his staff at The Castle Hotel in Macroom who provided our lunch.

John was joined on the road today by Paul Gray for 15miles - his company certainly helped - thank you!

Alison Nolan and her family were there to meet us this evening. Alison looks after the Downs Syndrome Ireland Cork Branch Website and has kindly added information about John's run to their home page.

After a massage for John from Julie Gilmore the team headed out for a bite to eat with Noel Coleman (DSI Cork Secretary).

Reinforcements have also arrived in Tower this evening in the form of John's two Son-in-Laws. Noel and Shane travelled down from Donegal and Drumquin today. They will be running with John and helping with the organisation between now and Sunday afternoon when we arrive in Limerick.

We have had some trouble with communication of photographs and have been promised them for tomorrow so....... 'Watch This Space!!'

And We're Off....!!!

Thursday Morning, 10th June.
After a relaxing day between Bantry and Mizen Head yesterday and a the great hospitality of Sue Hill and her team at The Heron's Cove in Goleen last night we were up bright and early this morning.

A good breakfast and a 7am start at Mizen Head.  Weather is beautiful and the plan for today is 6 X 6 mile runs passing through Goleen, Schull, Ballydehob and Drimoleague.
Members of the Cork branch of Down's Syndrome Ireland including secrertary Noel Coleman will be in these towns today fundraising.

John is feeling very optimistic and has Bríd, Mickey and Tim making up the support team for the next few days.
Stop point tonight is in Drimoleague with Marian and Denis Collins in the Roselawn B&B.

Photos of the start point this morning to follow.... will keep you posted!

P.S. Anyone who was watching out for the news story covering John's Run on BBC Newsline over the last to days.... we have been informed that coverage will now be on today on BBC NI  breakfast bulletins throughout morning and a full story at either 1.30pm or 6.30pm.

Final Preparations......

Busy day today getting ready to set off to Mizen Head tomorrow.

John was on Q101.2 West with Brian Gallagher in the morning and they will be including a live update on the show each day from 10th - 20th June. 

The BBC made a stop in Dromore in the afternoon to shoot a news piece which will be on the BBC Newsline Programme either tomorrow (Tues) or Wednesday evening at 6.30pm and hopefully on Thursday morning also.

The rest of the 'team' were busy collecting personalised running gear in Strabane and 'Stickering-Up' the Camper Van in Burt.They did however manage a well-deserved break to finish off the end of yesterday's birthday cake!

So we leave for Mizen in the morning and will spend some time relaxing between then and Thursday when John will set off running at 7am........Wish Him Luck!

5 Days to Go....

A Quick Update.....Preparations for the run are all coming together. Training is going to plan and we leave for Mizen Head on Tuesday morning.
Stickers arrived today for the Camper Van. Many Thanks to Fergal and the team at The Sign Place at Callaghan's in Burt, Co. Donegal who did a great job despite having very little notice!
I will get a photo of the Van on here as soon as it is ready.

Also, a word of thanks to some local companies who have provided sponsorship:
Switch Business Systems, Buncrana
Brian Keys Tractors, Dromore
Toal's Bookmakers
North West Modern Designs, Buncrana
China Star Restaurant, Irvinestown
Top Tools, Fintona
Fox's Furniture, Omagh

BBC News Online Article

BBC have kindly included a peice on my upcoming run to their Northern Ireland Website:

Click HERE to read or copy this link:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/foyle_and_west/8689910.stm

Mizen to Malin 2010 - John McCann, Dromore. Co. Tyrone

Hi All,

Starting on 10th June 2010 I will begin my 3rd and final Mizen Head to Malin Head run in aid of Down's Syndrome Charities throughout Ireland.

I will run an average of 36 miles per day and finish in Malin Head on 20th June 2010.

Having completed the run in 2008 and 2009 I have raised almost €45,000 for charity and hope to rasie a similar amount again this year.

Down's Syndrome Groups throughout Ireland will fundraise along the route of the run and all money rasied will stay locally within that area.

Have a look at the route and schedule HERE.

Please feel free to contact me if you would like to help or contribute in any way.

Many Thanks,

John McCann