Drogheda athlete Sean Collier has completed an extraordinary 169km ultramarathon around the Ring of Kerry, raising funds and awareness for ACT Meningitis – a cause that is deeply personal to him and his family.
Originally planning to run 163km, a route change at Moll’s Gap meant Sean clocked up an extra 6km, finishing the challenge in an astonishing 17 hours and 30 minutes.
“It was a true honour,” Sean told Drogheda Life. “I felt very grateful and privileged to be able to do a challenge like that, but also to create awareness and fundraising for such a worthwhile cause while doing something I’m passionate about.”
Inspired by Family, Driven by Cause
Sean’s motivation for the mammoth challenge came from a very personal place.
“My nephew contracted meningitis at just one year old and is now a survivor,” he explained. “But it has left him with ongoing symptoms. This experience has driven my desire to support ACT Meningitis and raise awareness about the devastating impact of this disease.”
His family saw first-hand the support ACT Meningitis provides when his sister-in-law reached out after her son’s diagnosis. “The charity’s work is truly lifesaving, and we’re grateful for all they do for families going through the toughest of times,” he said.
Preparing for the Challenge of a Lifetime
Sean began training in early summer 2025, steadily increasing his mileage from 60–80km per week to as much as 160km in August, often running twice a day. He also prioritised strength training at SKF Drogheda to build endurance and resilience.
“The weather on the day was perfect, my support crew were amazing, and I felt energised the whole way,” he said. A standout moment for Sean came at the finish line: “Running with my kids, nephew, and all my family and friends to the finish was something I’ll never forget.”
An Outpouring of Local Support
The Drogheda community, along with friends and family, rallied behind Sean’s challenge.
“The response was all positive,” he said. “It’s not real until you put it out in the open, but I got a great reaction from social media, lots of well wishes. The support has been amazing.”
He credits much of the campaign’s success to his wife Megan: “She’s been the driving force behind the scenes, organising all the social media content. I owe so much to her for all her hard work throughout the challenge.”
Raising Awareness of a Silent Killer
Meningitis, Sean emphasised, is an illness that can strike without warning.
“I want people to know it can come without warning signs and in many different forms. So always seek medical advice,” he urged.
Sean hopes his run will spark conversations both locally and beyond.
“Yes, I do believe it has. And I hope people will continue to talk more about meningitis and the effects it has on lives because of this challenge.”
What’s Next for Sean Collier?
Far from finished, Sean is already thinking about more challenges.
“Absolutely, I will always be active in raising funds or awareness in groups or charities that I feel strongly about. Stay tuned!”
For now, his incredible Ring of Kerry run stands as a powerful reminder of what determination, community support, and love for family can achieve.
How to Support
Donations are still being accepted via Sean’s iDonate fundraising page here: https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/MeganCollier21
All funds will go directly to ACT Meningitis, helping families across Ireland.
