Peter's Run - Malin to Mizen Head on World Sight Day for Vision Ireland

8_th October 2023 - 31_st December 2023

NCBI Whitworth Road, ireland

Peter Ryan started on October 8th when he ran from Malin Head in County Donegal to Ireland’s most southerly point at Mizen Head in County Cork.

The challenge took place over five days, with the longest leg seeing Peter run the equivalent of over three marathons in just one day. The mammoth feat of endurance fittingly ended on World Sight Day 2023 (Oct 12).

Funds raised from the 586km challenge will be donated to Vision Ireland to aid the development of the country’s first mobile unit, the Vision Van.

The Vision Van will travel to 150 locations nationwide, providing information, awareness and support services for sight loss and common eye conditions free at the point of delivery.

After being diagnosed with a rare genetic condition called Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy at the age of 19, Peter worked through the challenges of his vision loss by channelling his passion and love of sport.

He excelled at cycling, representing Ireland at the Rio Paralympic Games in 2016 and becoming the first Paralympian to complete the Race Around Ireland in just 122 hours, but now he has turned his focus to ultra-endurance running.

Peter said, “When I began losing my sight at 19, I needed to find a new purpose and sport was it. I love pushing my body to the limit and this challenge, running from Malin to Mizen in just five days, has become my next big focus.

“I received huge support from Vision Ireland upon my diagnosis which has enabled me to learn a new way of living. I am taking on this challenge as a way of giving back to the charity, raising awareness about vision loss and impairment and to challenge the stigma that is associated with disability. With the support of Vision Ireland, I have achieved great things, I advanced my sporting career and became a Paralympian - the first to complete the Race around Ireland.

“By undertaking this ultra-endurance challenge in October, I hope to raise as much money as I can for the NCBI to continue the fantastic work they do, empowering people with blindness and vision impairment to maintain their independence and live their lives as I do. My training for the run has been going well, and it keeps me motivated that I can hopefully make a great contribution towards the development of Ireland’s first mobile eye health awareness vehicle.”

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