Twenty-four Hour GB Athlete and famed ultrarunner Sophie Power began her Guinness World Record attempt this morning, running the length of Ireland. Spanning over 560km (350 miles), Sophie will run from Malin Head to Mizen Head, trying to beat the previous record of 3 days, 15 hours and 36 minutes.
In a candid post on her Instagram, the accomplished ultrarunner and advocate for women in sport shared her thoughts on the challenge: ‘The record is INSANE… but why pick a challenge you know you can complete?
“I’m doing this to inspire other women to set truly personal challenges – and get their family and friends behind them. As well as raise funds for SheRaces so we can continue to break down barriers for women in our sport.”
SheRaces campaigns for women in racing, highlighting barriers for women that may prevent them from arriving on the start line. She advocates for female ultrarunners and has already made an impact in how pregnancy deferrals are dealt with and the promotion of races to include women.
>> SheRaces: How Sophie Power Made Ultramarathons More Female-Friendly
The length of Ireland women’s record is currently held by endurance athlete Mimi Anderson in 3 days, 15 hours, and 36 minutes, meaning Sophie will have to cover over 100 miles a day.
During the challenge, a four-person crew – including Kate Strong, a multi-world record-breaking endurance cyclist – will also support Power from a campervan.
Her husband and two sons will be tracking her via a motorhome, and her daughter will be waiting with her Grandparents west of Cork as motivation.
Sophie began at 8:03 a.m. this morning (28th May 2024) on Instagram, stating she may only be able to sleep for 20-40 minutes a night to make the record. She must reach Maizen Head by 11:36pm on Friday 31 May.
From 8:00am on Tuesday 28 May, you can follow this link to dot-watch Power on her race down Ireland.