Guinness World Record Holder


2 min read   January 30th, 2017
 

Sinead Kane is an extraordinary young woman from Cork, who with just 5% vision has completed the World Marathon Challenge - 7 marathons, 7 continents, 7 days - Sinead is now a Guinness World Record holder, becoming the first visually impaired person to do so. Here, she tells us how she got through the last race.

Hi Everyone,

At the moment I’m sitting in my hotel room, across from Manly beach in Sydney. I’ve just had a very welcome shower and I am trying to get my stomach to settle after the final marathon.

I am also trying to take in what I have just achieved over the past week. The last seven days have been a character building experience for me. It’s been a huge adventure.

I was amazed with what I achieved yesterday in Asia, coming joint first, but that had a big effect on me today. We began running at 1am Sydney time – it was dark, and within 3 miles I had stomach issues, I wasn’t fully recovered as I had put a lot of energy into the Dubai race, so from miles 3 to 10, I kept telling myself I just couldn’t do it, that I just didn’t have it in me to complete the final leg of the World Marathon Challenge.

Every so often, I’d take little walk breaks, but it just shows you how these races can take it out you because the girl who also came joint 1st with me yesterday came 4th today, and I came 6th so it just shows how much energy it takes out of you!

I am looking to now getting my feet recovered, and to seeing everybody when I get back home. I am sad that this experience has come to an end, in a way I am in auto pilot, I keep thinking I need to run another marathon tomorrow!

I am absolutely delighted that Richard O’Donovan, the race director, gave me a sportsmanship award, meaning I get to donate €10,000 to a charity of my choice, which will be the Irish Guide Dogs.

I am extremely grateful to John O’Regan, my running guide, for coming on this journey with me. Without him I couldn’t have achieved my goal of becoming a Guinness World Record holder.

I am so grateful to Allianz for stepping in and helping me to achieve this dream, and for all of the belief and support that they have all shown me over the last week. They have been with me every step of the way since day one. Allianz’ goal is to support those who dare to achieve great things, so I feel so incredibly proud to be part of Team Allianz.

I have had high moments and low moments on this trip over the last week, so thanks for all of the belief and support in me, all of the emails, tweets and messages kept me going.

I can’t believe that this is over, but I am looking forward to getting back to Ireland and seeing you all very soon!

Sinead