Sophie Power becomes the fastest woman to run the length of Ireland
Sophie Power, accomplished British ultramarathon runner, mother of three and advocate for women in sport, is preparing for her most immense challenge to date: to run the entire length of Ireland faster than any woman has done before.
To achieve her ambition and become the Guinness World Records title holder, Power, 41, must conquer almost 350 miles (563km) on foot in under 3 days, 15 hours and 36 minutes. By taking on such an extraordinary endeavour, Power is hoping to inspire other women to become more active, gain confidence from exercise and take on physical challenges that are meaningful to them – all as part of her Challenge You campaign.
Sophie is also embarking on the challenge to raise money for SheRACES, the organisation she founded to drive change for women in sport so they have the same opportunities as men. SheRACES, Power says, campaigns for races that ‘are designed through a female lens as well as a man’s’ and empowers more women to own their places on start lines. You can sponsor Power and support SheRaces now via her SportsGiving page.
What will the Guinness World Records attempt entail?
Power will commence her challenge at 8:00am on Tuesday 28 May at Malin Head, the most northerly point of Ireland. She’ll then need to cover more than 100 miles each day and block out only 20 to 40 minutes for sleep each night to reach Mizen Head, the most southwestern point of mainland Ireland, by 11:36pm on Friday 31 May.
Although the point-to-point course is mapped out at 341 miles, previous attempts on this course have recorded closer to 350 miles. As such, Power must err on the side of caution and expect to run nearer the 350-mile mark – especially since she must rely on self-navigation.
The current record of 3 days, 15 hours and 36 minutes was set in 2012 by endurance athlete Mimi Anderson, one of Power’s greatest inspirations when she started running ultramarathons in 2010. In fact, Anderson has even helped Power to prepare for this record-breaking mission in Ireland.
During the challenge, a four-person crew – including Kate Strong, a multi-world record-breaking endurance cyclist – will also support Power from a campervan. Meanwhile, her husband and two sons – Donnacha, 9, and Cormac, 6 – will track her movements from a motorhome. Power’s three-year-old daughter, Saoirse, will stay with her grandparents west of Cork for the duration of the run, and motivate Power to hit Mizen Head as quickly as possible so they can see each other again.
How can you track Power’s progress?
From 8:00am on Tuesday 28 May, you can follow this link to dot-watch Power on her race down Ireland.
Why is Power taking on this huge challenge?
Power is no stranger to extreme running, having completed more than 50 ultramarathons including the 106-mile UTMB, the 153-mile Spartathlon and the 268-mile Spine Fusion. She has won some of these races, too, and represented Great Britain at the 2023 24-Hour World Championships, where she clocked a personal best of 235.7km.
Despite this impressive experience, though, Power’s epic footrace across Ireland is still peppered with uncertainties and the threat of failure – making it even more alluring.
‘I’m really looking forward to just starting running now on this exciting adventure,’ says Power. ‘I hope to inspire and empower other women to set their own challenges, as well as raise awareness of, and fundraise for, SheRACES. The record is incredibly difficult and anything can happen, but I’ve trained harder than ever and just hope I get the luck of the Irish!’
What is the Challenge You campaign?
Born from Power’s Guinness World Records attempt, the Challenge You campaign encourages all women to set and take on their own tough but achievable sporting challenges.
And women needn’t traverse the length of a whole country, either. Whether it’s completing a Couch to 5K programme or cycling to somewhere special, Power hopes that her own record attempt in Ireland – her husband’s homeland – will inspire other women to get moving in a meaningful and fulfilling way.
‘I believe that setting a challenge and completing it can change a woman’s life – and I want to inspire and enable more women to do that,’ says Power.
Power will begin her Guinness World Records attempt at Malin Head, Ireland at 8:00am on Tuesday 28 May – follow her progress here. You can find out more about SheRACES, Power’s organisation, here.
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