Army Trio Race the Planet and Win for Motor Neurone Disease

Three Army Engineering officers have raised approx €7k for their chosen charity the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA) as the three officers competed in a 250km, seven day endurance race in the Himalayan Mountains of Nepal. Six teams embarked on the race, and the Irish Team; Skelligs Chocolate Race Team” emerged as champions.

Lt’s Adrian Quinn (26) (Leixlip, Co Kildare), Eoghan Carton (26) (Ardclough, Co Kildare) and John Murphy (28) (Portmagee, Co. Kerry) competed as the “Skellig's Chocolate Race Team”. The trio, based in the Curragh, chose the IMNDA as John’s Uncle Sean O’Sé passed away from Motor Neurone Disease in December 2009. Sean's wife Eileen and two daughters Orla and Aíne all work as part of the Skellig's Chocolate business based in St Finan's Bay, Co. Kerry. Business owner Colm Healy was happy to help part fund the team’s efforts in undertaking this tough challenge for such a worthy cause that resonates with his hard working staff.

The Skellig's Chocolate Race Team undertook the grueling seven day ultra marathon as an opportunity to raise awareness and much needed funds for the charity. Each day the competitors travelled the equivalent of a 40km marathon over the hilly, rocky and beautifully remote terrain of the Nepal Himalayan Mountain range.

Over 250 competitors from more than 35 different countries took part, including some of the best ultra runners from around the world. Each competitor had to remain self sufficient for the duration of the event carrying all food, clothing and sleeping systems required to complete the race. This kit weighed around 15kg at the start of the race and dropped down to about 9kg at the end, as the food was eaten over the seven days. The three man Irish team consumed, on average 2,500 to 3,000 calories of dehydrated expedition meals and simultaneously lost over a kilo in weight per day due to loss of fluid alone. They also contended with the intensely dry Nepalese midday heat and bitter night time cold whilst remaining conscious of the effect of the increased altitude on their bodies. Adding to this will be the painfully tired and cramping muscles, heat rash and terrible foot blisters that would put the average walker off going for a leisurely stroll. More information can be found at www.4deserts.com/beyond/nepal/

The team took two weeks out of their annual leave to compete in the race and have fully paid for all their own race costs, flights and food. They are adamant that every single cent raised during their fundraising efforts will go to the charity and NOT towards any of the race expenses.