Aby King

TRASNA 2026 - YEAR 2

It's hard to believe it's already been a year since we took on Trasna. Looking back, it was one of the toughest but most enjoyable challenges we've ever been part of.

For those who don't know, Trasna involved running across the country as a team, with each runner covering ultra-marathon distances through the day and night. On paper, the running was the hard part. In reality, it was everything else that came with it.

The biggest challenge wasn't necessarily the miles. It was the lack of sleep, the constant travel, trying to eat properly, coordinating handovers, and moving a team across Ireland while everyone was exhausted. Add in tired legs and a few hours of broken sleep, and even the simplest tasks became an adventure.

What made the experience so special was the team. Every single person stepped up when it mattered. There were plenty of moments where someone was tired, sore, or questioning how they were going to get through their next leg, but there was always a teammate there with encouragement, a bit of slagging, or whatever was needed to keep things moving.

The craic throughout the event was unbelievable. Between the support crews, the stories, the laughs in the vans, and the shared suffering, friendships were strengthened in a way that only happens when people tackle something genuinely difficult together.

The most surprising thing of all? Somehow, this year we have exactly the same team back again. Despite knowing what's ahead, every single person has volunteered to put themselves through it once more, all in support of an incredible cause — Grow Mental Health.

In many ways, Trasna symbolises a journey that so many people can relate to. There are moments when everything feels easy and you're on top of the world. There are other moments when you're exhausted, struggling, and wondering how you'll keep going. The highs are high, the lows are low, but the only way forward is the same: one step in front of the next.

That's what makes this challenge so special. It's not just about running from one side of the country to the other. It's about resilience, teamwork, support, and knowing that even during the toughest moments, you don't have to do it alone.

We're proud to be taking on the challenge again and even prouder to be doing it together.