Like many people, I started running during the COVID-19 pandemic as a way to stay active while gyms were closed. What began as a way to get out of the house quickly turned into a passion, and within a relatively short period I progressed from my first few runs to completing a marathon.

After spending a few years focusing on marathons, I became interested in ultrarunning and completed my first 50km in 2022. That’s when the idea of running 100km first crossed my mind. It felt almost unimaginable, but the seed was planted.

Towards the end of 2025, I decided to finally sign up for my first 100km race, the Altar 100km in Avondale Forest. That left me with around five months to train, and it was a tough few months, with early morning runs in the Dublin and Wicklow mountains, around four marathon distance training runs and one 52km training run.

On race day in April 2026, I woke up with a head cold and considered pulling out, but decided to just go for it and see how I got on.

The course itself was a 3.2km loop around Avondale Forest and was far more undulating than I had anticipated, with around 1,600m of elevation gain over the full 100km. I could feel it in my legs from around the 30km mark, and the heat didn’t help either, with temperatures reaching around 18 °C. Around 20 people dropped out of the race due to the heat and the tough route, so it was a massive struggle to push through.

There were many moments I felt like giving up, and it took a lot of strength to keep going, one step at a time.

The highlight came when my two sons arrived and I told them we’d do the last loop together. I will never forget holding hands with my two boys and crossing the finish line as one. It was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had, and it showed me what’s possible through consistent training and perseverance.

I’m now preparing for my next challenge, the Kerry Way Ultra Nite, a 101km mountain ultra through the Kerry mountains at night this September. My training has shifted from road running to long mountain runs in Dublin and Wicklow, night-time sessions with a head torch, and practising the nutrition, navigation and safety skills needed for mountain ultrarunning.

My long-term ambition is to complete the full Kerry Way Ultra next year, one of Ireland’s most iconic endurance events at 200km. Looking back, it’s incredible to think that a hobby I picked up during lockdown has led me to running 100km races. It’s a reminder that setting ambitious goals, staying consistent and enjoying the process can take you much further than you ever imagined.

Written by – Aaron Cunningham, Wealth Consultant