Rhode's Niall starts coast to coast charity run

Just six months on from a 100km running challenge Rhode man Niall Murphy is back on the road today. This time he's taking on the feat of a non-stop 213km run from Sligo to Dublin on the N4 along with two others, and he's hoping to raise €200,00 for Irish Autism Action Action for his efforts. Speaking to the Offaly Independent last week before taking on the mammoth challenge, Niall said the hard training was behind him and he was looking forward to completing the trojan task. "The hard training for me was completed by early September," Niall explained. "August would probably have been the toughest month in my whole life," he continued, adding that he clocked up a total of almost 500 miles that month and an average of 15 miles each day. A day of rest yesterday (Wednesday) preceded the beginning of the massive feat this morning. Niall and running partners Brendan Doyle from Longford and Michael Devaney from Mullingar began their run from Abbott Diagnostic in Finisklin, Sligo at about 7.30am. "There's only one way back to Dublin for us from there - by foot," Niall said. The trio hope to arrive in Longford by 5.15pm, before continuing to Mullingar for approximately 11pm. Through the night the trio will run on, arriving at Enfield or Kilcock by breakfast time on the morning of Friday, October 12 and finishing at Abbott Diagnostic in Liffey Valley just before 1pm. "We'd hope to be off the road in 30 hours," Niall explained. "It's a non-stop run. There are no stops for sleep. The only stops are for toilet, food and gear change, and physio if required. If we did stop we'd probably seize up." Anyone interested in sponsoring the three men on the N4 run can do so in a variety of ways - by buying blue Irish Autism Action flags, buying special N4 Autism Run chocolate bars by Cavan chocolate company Áine or by texting "N4RUN" to 57802. Flags costing €5 and chocolate bars costing 2 are available in many shops along the route as well as Mace in Cappincur and Brady's Spar in Edenderry. Texts will cost senders €2, with a minimum of 1.25 excluding VAT going to charity. "It's a nice little round package for less than €10, and you'd be really supporting in a major way," Niall said. All funds raised will go towards Irish Autism Action, and in particular towards its new Centre of Excellence in Multyfarnham, Westmeath, as well as towards Saplings and St Brigid's schools in Mullingar. Niall and his wife Noeleen have three children - Ryan (11) who has Autism, Ciara (9) and Jennifer (8). The family will celebrate Ryan's 12th birthday on October 13, just one day after Niall completes his latest challenge. Niall said the timing of the run makes it all the more significant for him, and when he finishes on October 12 not only will he be finishing a long run but also marking twelve years of living with Autism. Though he said he suspects he won't be physically up to much on his son's birthday, celebrations will definitely be taking place in the Murphy household.