Galway girl to tackle world’s toughest race

A Galway woman now living Down Under has secured her place in the planet’s toughest race – the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii.

Clodagh Glynn – originally from Kiltormer but now living in Perth – jets out to Hawaii on September 27 in order to acclimatise for the event on October 8.

She will be taking on a staggering 226km endurance test, beginning with a 3.8km swim, followed by a 180km cycle, and finishing with a regulation length 42.2km marathon.

“Little did I know that when I left Kiltormer on May 15 2010, on my one year working holiday visa for Australia, that six years later I would be after qualifying for the 2016 Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii,” she says.

Clodagh will be joined by some of her family in Hawaii; they fly out on October 6.

But her friends at home will also play their part by helping her fundraise for her big test.

They have formed a fundraising committee under the chairmanship of Connie Goode, Secretary Grainne Dooley, and Treasurers Sheila Kavanagh & Patsy Cormican.

Clodagh’s sister Claire McCarthy is Events Co-ordinator and – because they are partnering with The Schools Programmes for Cycle Against Suicide in a joint venture to raise €20,000 – Tricia Quinn will fill the Operations Manager role on that front.

They’ve planned a whole series of events – from Coffee Morning to Bingo, Bucket Collections to Sponsorship Cards – and are asking all local sports organisations to lend a hand if they can.

You will find them on Facebook at Clodagh Glynn Ironman Fundraiser – World Championships 2016 – or log onto www.clodaghglynnironmanfundraiser.wordpress.com

Donations can also be made at any AIB Branch. Account name: Clodagh Glynn Ironman Fund; Sort Code: 93-70-45; Account number: 27881069.

See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune