'We all know someone who's affected by Cancer' - meet the men taking on a 300k run for charity

A total of 300 kilometres, 186 miles or just over 7 marathons.

That's the mammoth challenge facing four Banbridge runners tomorrow.

Ryan Caron, Chrissy Burns, Philip McNally and Chris Ward will take on the huge task from Portstewart to Newcastle for Cancer Focus NI.

Ryan explains why.

We've been doing monthly challenges from around January time and we've all been getting involved, members of the gym (Apollo Fitness Banbridge) and the team here and my wife decided why not do something for a charity and she chose Cancer Focus.

“She lost both her parents to cancer, her father last year, and Cancer Focus was a big help during that time and that's why we've decided to do it on the 9th of August as well.

“That would have been my father-in-law's birthday, so it's a poignant date for us and very emotional, but that's going to spur us on with all the support we've been getting and with the donations, it's been unbelievable.

“We had a £5,000 target and we've surpassed that. That's before we've even done the challenge.”

“We're going to be starting on Portstewart Strand and running the coastal road down to Belfast and then heading over towards Holywood and Bangor and ending up in Portaferry,” explains Chrissy.

“Then it’s onto the ferry to Strangford before heading down the coast road into Newcastle.

“At the minute I'm looking forward to getting stuck into it,” he adds.

“I’m also looking forward to getting finished as well!

“If you have your running shoes with you, you can jump in along the way. We have a good few jumping in at different points. They might run 5K with us, 10k, 15k, 20k, it doesn't matter and it's open to anyone at all. We have a tracker so that people can follow us and it will be easy for people to jump in because they'll know where we are at each point.”

For Phillip, it’s about getting stuck in and mentally preparing himself to battle right until the ned.

“I'm feeling good, I'm looking forward to it at this point,” he says.

“I'm one of these people that will never give up. I'd be disappointed if I don't finish that. That's the way I am, my mindset is that way. If it's crawling over the line, I'll be getting it done. The way I look at it is, it's two days and it's all over.

We've done big enough miles, the training has been put in and all the people that are coming in the background helping us out. They can't do enough for us, so we have plenty of support there,” Phillip added.

“We would appreciate if everybody that hasn't donated could donate any amount at all. It's much appreciated because it's for a serious disease. I've raised quite a lot already, so if anybody can donate, please donate.”

The last word goes to Ryan, a man experienced in ultra-marathons, and who knows the ups and downs – both physically and mentally, this sort of distance will bring.

“You go into a lot of dark places, especially through the night,” he admits.

“Over 100-mile races, things change. After 60 miles, 70 miles, you go into your own thoughts, pain, suffering, but you come out of it. It's a lot of mental battles, but I think we're well capable of completing this. We're a good bunch of lads, we'll all stick together and I'm really looking forward to it.

“Knowing that we're doing this for such a good cause, knowing there's going to be people there and the support we're going to get throughout the whole run from people, members of the gym, from friends, family, it'll definitely spur us on.

“It might get a bit emotional towards the end when you know you're near the finish line, but the feeling you get when you finish, it's unbelievable.

“There are so many people who've been affected by cancer. I think we all know someone who's affected by cancer. The pain and suffering we're going to go through is nothing compared to what people with cancer are going through.

“If you can walk, if you can run, if you can stand up, if you're capable of anything, it's just putting your mind to it.”

To donate: https://www.justgiving.com/page/apollochallenge?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL

You can track the guys on their journey on the following link: Portstewart to Newcastle For Cancer Focus | Primal Tracking