Smithboro father takes on Sahara marathon. Indeed, Gary McDonald is originally from Smithboro. He is currently living in Kildare and is on a mission to raise essential funds for his son Iarlaith's school. Furthermore, Gary is currently running the marathon de Sables. This is a six day 250km self supporting adventure race across the Sahara in Morocco. Moreover, Gary has trained over the last eight months and is hoping to raise €18,000 for his son's special school, St Raphael's, in Celbridge.
Gary told Northern Sound; "My son Iarlaith is my superhero. His superpower? He always succeeds in bringing a smile to my face no matter how tired or anxious I am. He is the happiest, most easy-going and loving kid you'll ever meet, which is amazing given all he has been through. I hope some of his superpowers rub off on me, I'll need them. As a way to raise funds for his school, I'm taking on the Marathon de Sables in Morocco, billed as the 'toughest foot race on the planet', it is six days running 250 kms (156 miles) across the endless sand dunes and rocky plains of the Sahara desert." To donate you can visit; https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/RunSaharafor
Jodie Curran spoke with Gary prior to him taking off for Morocco, she began by asking him why this is a cause close to his heart:
