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From the Isle of Doagh to Tokyo
03.02.14
LOCAL business owner
Michael McLaughlin is swapping picturesque Isle of
Doagh for the neon lights of Tokyo as he limbers up
for the 2014 Japanese Marathon.
Normally seen running the Londis supermarket in
Ballyliffin, Michael has been pounding the roads
over the last few months in preparation for one of
the world’s greatest races. Michael is undertaking
the gruelling challenge to raise funds for people
with Parkinson's disease - a condition affecting his
mother. |
“I normally do my
training runs around the stunning Isle of Doagh
along the route of the annual Ballyliffin Coastal
Challenge, so the bright lights of Tokyo will be a
big change from that setting," said Michael.
“I ran the London Marathon in 2012 during Olympic
year which was an unforgettable experience, and this
year I decided that I would try another. 300,000
people applied for one of only 30,000 places in
Tokyo, so i was extremely lucky to get a place at
all.”
Michael is running on behalf of Parkinson’s Ireland.
“My mum is currently affected by this condition and
I wanted to help raise awareness and raise a few
euros for them in process.”
Michael will also try to drum up a bit of tourism
business for Inishowen while he's there. |
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Michael McLaughlin who will run the
Japanese Marathon 2014. |
"I’ll be running in my Donegal GAA shirt and flying
the county flag and of course seeing if I can
encourage some Japanese folk to visit our beautiful
part of the world to run next year’s Ballyliffin
Coastal Challenge."
Parkinson’s Ireland is a support group charity based
in Dublin with branches throughout the country.
Their aim is to assist people with Parkinson’s,
their families and carers, by offering support, a
listening ear and information on any aspect of
living with the condition. They currently receive no
funding from the state.
If people want to donate to this worthwhile cause
they can pop into the Londis shop in Ballyliffin or
donate online through the following web address...
www.mycharity.ie/event/michael_mclaughlins_event/ |
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