Spirit of Belron Challenge 2017 – Mary McCormack Interview

In just under three weeks time 13 Autoglass Ireland staff members will be taking part in the Spirit of Belron Challenge. The challenge involves a choice of gruelling races including three triathalons, a duathalon and a half marathon all in aid of Afrika Tikkun. We asked our head of HR Mary McCormack a series of questions about the event including how she’s been preparing for the day.

Q: What event will you be participating in on the day?

A: Half  Marathon

Q: Have you ever competed in anything like this before?

A: This is my 3rd Spirit of Belron Challenge. I completed the half marathon last year and really enjoyed it.

Q: Can you give us an insight into how you’ve been preparing for your chosen event?

A: I started running 3.5 years ago. As a member of the PTA at my children’s school I helped organise a Fun Run as a fundraiser for the school. That’s where it all started! I have been training for this event as part of my training for the Dublin City Marathon in October. I try to get out running 4-5 times a week. Finding the time to train is difficult some weeks with work and family life but I enjoy getting my time on the road. I am not a gym person, I love running on our country roads early in the morning. I have a great friend who is my running buddy and we do our long run early every Saturday morning.

Q: What does the Spirit of Belron Challenge and Afrika Tikkun mean to you?

A: The Spirit of Belron is an amazing event. The atmosphere is contagious. It is a chance to catch up with colleagues from other countries and to have great fun. There are serious competitors at the event and there are people not the least bit competitive but just want to participate for fun. That’s what it’s all about. The charity is a wonderful charity. I was fortunate to witness the great work in South Africa that this charity does for so many wonderful children. It has helped to give them an education, healthy living and a direction in life that they would never have dreamt.

Q: What do you hope to gain from this experience?

A: I hope that all my colleagues travelling from Ireland to participate in this event experience 2 things from this event. 1). The sense of pride when they see all the money that is raised for Afrika Tikkun and 2). The infectious spirit at this event which is amazing and makes you proud to be a part of Belron.

 

Click here if you’d like to help us on our way to our €3000 fundraising target. All money raised goes directly to Afrika Tikkun.