
Wexford dad surpasses €35k with first step of marathon fundraiser inspired by his daughter
He's doing all of this to raise funds with the lofty goal of raising €210,000 for Wexford Special Olympics Club and Windmill Therapeutic, two services that do great work with Jennie and her friends.
The determined Dad is certainly off to a great start, having raised more than €35,000 with the first event, the people of Rosslare Strand and surrounding areas having been of great support.
"We started the challenge with the most spectacular 3.38km midnight swim where over 40 people came to support,' Andrew says. 'I started the 338km bike segment at 2 a.m. and completed it shortly before 5 p.m. Then after a short break, I started the 33.8km run and completed that by 10.15 p.m.
"The support on the bike was equally fantastic with people from all around the county and beyond joining in. The run support from Wexford Triathlon Club was the icing on the cake to get me over the line. However, the biggest reward for me was seeing all the fun at the event on the green.'
With Jennie holding down the fort, there was all kinds of family fun in the village, with nearly €10,000 raised on the day alone.
While blown away by the support he's received so far, Andrew is already firmly focused on the next challenge.
"It'll be some rest and recovery now before we move onto the next challenge – Ironman Wales on September 21,' he said. 'Thank you to everyone who has donated and helped raise funds to date, from me and Jennie.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Irish Independent
25-07-2025
- Irish Independent
Superheroes run riot during Gorey Market House Festival
Taking place in Gorey District Town Park, David Fitzpatrick of Gorey Athletics Club praised the event and people that attended the family fun run. 'It was a great turnout, and we were delighted with how it went,' David said. Fine Gael's Brian Brennan, TD for Wicklow Wexford was also in attendance to share the fun on the day. Deputy Brennan praised the club for the events running. David said the club wanted to organise a two kilometre run throughout the park, where kids could dress up as their favourite heroes and race through Gorey Town Park. 'We basically just set out a run for the children. 'The kids were presented with certificates and refreshments when the run was over. We had music provided by Michael Brown,' he added. David and Dean Glennan re-established Gorey Athletics Club in March 2025 after discussing the previous owner of the club which was once popular in Gorey. David and Dean met after running the Dublin City Marathon two years ago and we were talking about the children that went to the showgrounds for athletics over the years. 'We were talking about it and said 'What about reviving the club?' David said himself and Dean were approached to host an event at this year's festival as the Athletics Club was newly formed. 'As the club progresses, we hope to re-enact some of the races organised years ago,' David added


The Irish Sun
17-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
Tragedy as athlete dies after ‘getting into difficulty' while swimming during ‘Ironman' race
AN IRONMAN athlete has tragically died after competing in Wales. The athlete began experiencing "difficulty" during the swimming section of the triathlon in Swansea Ironman 70.3. The competitor - who has not been named - received immediate medical care and rushed to hospital. But they tragically died on Wednesday, event organisers have since confirmed. A statement from Ironman Wales read: "It is with a heavy heart that we confirm the passing of an athlete who competed in last weekend's IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea triathlon. "Approximately half-way into the swim portion of the race, swim safety personnel noticed and responded to an athlete in difficulty. "The athlete received immediate medical care while being taken via boat to a designated extraction point on the harbour, where further treatment was administered. "The athlete was then transported to the hospital where they continued to receive treatment, but sadly passed today. "Our deepest condolences are with the family and friends of the athlete. "We will continue to offer them our support and keep them in our thoughts as they go through this challenging time. Most read in The Sun "We are deeply grateful to the swim safety personnel and first responders who worked quickly to provide the athlete with medical assistance." Each year, thousands take part in the Welsh triathlon, but this was the UK's first ever Ironman Pro Series event. Competitors start by completing a 1.2-mile swim at the Prince of Wales Dock, followed by a 56-mile bike ride through Mumbles and along the coastal clifftops of Gower, before heading out into rural Swansea and then back along Swansea Bay into the city. They then return to Swansea, preparing for transition in the Maritime Quarter next to the River Tawe. Competitors then tackle a 13.1-mile two-loop run course that leads them from the city centre, past Swansea Arena, towards Mumbles and then back to the finish line at the marina


Irish Times
11-07-2025
- Irish Times
Cian McPhillips and Andrew Coscoran take impressive wins at Morton Games
On a balmy evening in Dublin sent straight from the running gods, Andrew Coscoran turned up the heat to win the headline mile race at the Morton Games in Santry, just holding off Cathal Doyle in a frantic, homestretch duel. Coscoran, the Irish mile record holder, kicked for home with 200m to go, holding on to win in a meeting record of 3:51.12, Doyle just a half stride behind in 3:51.26, with Darragh McElhinney also smashing his lifetime best when clocking 3:51.99 for third. Nick Griggs had to settle for fourth despite running 3:52.42. Cian McPhillips made the absolute most of the perfect conditions, running a Morton Stadium and Irish all-comers 800m record of 1:44.19, this time judging his run to perfection to nail the win and smash his previous best of 1:45.33 in the process. He's now the second fastest Irishman after Mark English . 'I've been working towards that for a long time now,' said 23-year-old McPhillips, who missed out on recent years with injury. 'Delighted with that, but conditions were so good, so very happy with that.' READ MORE Poland's Maciej Wyderka had kicked early for home but had to settle for second in 1:44.40 – McPhillips simply unstoppable once into the homestretch. It was a near perfect evening for one-lap running too, although a little breezy, Sharlene Mawdsley a class apart when winning the women's 400m in 51.61 seconds, a meeting record, timing her season well it would appear with the World Championships in Tokyo still two months away. Sharlene Mawdsley during the women's 400m at the Morton Games in Dublin. Photograph: Bryan Keane/Inpho 'To win in front of a home crowd, with my family up there (in the stand), is a very special feeling,' she said. 'I'm glad I committed from the gun, and thankfully I held on. And this weather, in Ireland, wow, it's great to have that here too.' Elian Larregina from Argentina clocked the fastest ever 400m on Irish soil when winning the men's event in 45.08, with 17-year-old David Kelly again lowering the Irish under-20 record with an excellent 45.85 in fourth – breaking the 46-second barrier for the first time. Israel Olatunde also continued his fine form, delighting the home crowd when winning the 100m in 10.20 seconds, although the wind reading was over the limit at +2.3 m/s. For the 23-year-old, coming back within sight of his Irish record of 10.12, it took nothing from the winning feeling. Jack O'Leary was delighted with a new lifetime best of 13:22.67, finishing fourth in the 5,000m. Valentin Soca from Uruguay the winner in 13:18.22.