‘Thinking of those who’ve gone pushes you on’ – Vanessa

Cavan's Vanessa Armstrong was present when Geraldine Mullan silently laid three roses she had conspicuously been carrying as she, and others, participated in the Extreme North Quadrathon in Donegal last weekend.

As they passed Quigley's Point the Cornafean woman watched as Geraldine stopped. She hadn't realised the woman she'd been running alongside was the sole survivor of a tragedy that shocked the nation, that sadly claimed the lives of her husband John (49) and children Amelia (6) and brother Tomás (14) when their family’s car plunged into Lough Foyle in August 2020.

Earlier this year Geraldine, who courageously set up The Mullan Hope Centre in nearby Moville to commemorate her beautiful family and their legacy, organised a fundraising 5km on what would have been her son Tomás' 18th birthday.

It was on the last day of the Quadrathon around the Inishowen Penninsula that Vanessa came across Geraldine about halfway through.

“It was heartbreaking,” says Vanessa of the quiet and respectful ceremony that unfolded. “I gave her a big hug. There was a lot of bawling, and we kept going. She came in after us and the whole place erupted for her.”

It was a poignant moment for many reasons, but Vanessa completed the 2024 Quadrathon with her own dedicated causes in mind.

She had previously done four Quadrathons, done in two formats - the 'Warrior' being four different courses over four days (105 miles), and 'Quest' as four half marathons over the same period.

Vanessa completed full 'Warrior' routes in 2016 and 2017, and halves in 2015 and 2018.

The local mum of four - Aaron, Alisha, Imogen and Isabelle - only began training after being “talked into it” by friend Gerard Heraty, after he had set himself a personal goal following the sad passing of his wife Samantha last October.

While Gerard signed up for the half marathons, Vanessa went the “whole hog”, choosing Cuan Cancer Care in Cavan Town as her charity of choice.

“I play Mothers and Others football with Cornafean and a couple of our members have recently gone through breast cancer and Cuan have been really good with them. I said it would be nice to give something back,” explains Vanessa, who works at Dunnes Stores on Church Street, and first started running a little more than a decade ago.

Remarkably, and belying the fact the completed distance is the equivalent to running from Blacklion in West Cavan to Dublin City Centre, Vanessa says: “I'm not a racer, just a casual 5km here, 10km there, and build it up as you go.

“I did my first marathon in 2015. I didn't tell any of my friends I was training, done what I could on the quiet, not the full training, and met them up there on the day. So last weekend was my 28th in total.”

Vanessa was stunned to see one of the women she trains with at home, Grainne Eccleston, travel up to Donegal to complete the final half marathon with her on the final day.

“She came up with my husband (David), it was a great surprise. I didn't expect it.”

“It's a bit extreme,” she admits with a laugh, her “feet up” now at home before heading off to meet her fellow Mother and Other teammates on Monday evening. There Vanessa would pose for a photo with her teammates while wearing the jersey once worn by her former teammate Abby McDowell. Abby, from Crossdoney, sadly died in February 2023 following an illness borne with great dignity.

To date Vanessa has helped raise close to €2,200 for Cuan Cancer Care via her iDonate page 'Vanessa's Marathon Challenge', with the fundraiser staying live until August 29.

Despite blisters on through day three and four, Vanessa persevered. She even stopped for an ice-cream en route to the finish line on the final day.

“It is tough but you wouldn't run every step of it. There are hills, big hills, but it is so inspirational. People from the age of 20 right up to 80 running, jogging, walking, whatever they can do. There is a lot of people from the Marathon Club Ireland, and they are just the jolliest people to meet on the road, they really make it so much easier when you do a few miles with them here and there. It makes the time go by quicker. It's the people you meet along the way, that's part of the journey.”

She says the “only aim” is to get to the finish line, and what kept her going despite the obvious pain barrier, was the thoughts of everyone at home: “You're thinking of them. You're thinking of those who've gone as well, and that pushes you on. There's over €2,000 there now, and other people have given me money as well, and there is still more to come. It was a really good event. Because I'd done it before I knew what was ahead of me.”