The 34th Amsterdam Marathon took place on Sunday October 18. A group of 26 people from all over Ireland, including Barry Gilfillan from Athlone, made the journey to participate in the marathon event in aid of Special Olympics Ireland.
The marathon started and finished in the recently renovated Olympic Stadium which provided a fitting backdrop for the Special Olympics Ireland team who took part.
Months of training in the run-up to the event paid off for Athlone’s Barry Gilfillan, who finished the half-marathon event in a very competitive time of one hour, 33 minutes and 22 seconds.
Barry had a very busy few months in the run up to the marathon, not only keeping to a hectic training schedule but also fundraising for Special Olympics Ireland. The group collectively raised over €30,000 for Special Olympics Ireland, which will enable the organisation to continue to provide life-changing opportunities for people with an intellectual disability throughout Ireland.
CEO of Special Olympics Ireland Matt English, who also participated in the event, said; “The trip was highly successful and I would like to thank all those who took part in the marathon in aid of Special Olympics Ireland. The money raised will help to fund our life-changing work including the staging of the 2010 Special Olympics Ireland Games which will take place in Limerick from June 9-13 next year.”
