Runner of the Week: Cork man taking on marathon challenge for mental health awareness
A young man from Cork is taking on a marathon challenge to raise awareness of mental health supports.
Finn Barrett, 19, is taking part in this year’s Irish Examiner Cork City Marathon.
“I am running the Cork City Marathon this year as I wanted to give myself a challenge to work towards and to show that you can do anything you set your mind to,” Finn said.
“I am running to raise money for Pieta House as I have had my own struggles with my mental health in the past and I want to help anyone in the situation I was once in get through their darkest time.
I was once a person who couldn’t see a future for myself. There were times where I wasn’t sure if I would ever live a life where I would be truly happy. It’s ok to not be ok and it’s ok to talk about your mental health. I once wouldn’t leave my room because I couldn’t face the world, now I can’t get enough of it.
He started running competitively in 2016.
“I started running when I trained for my first triathlon in 2016. After completing the Crosshaven Challenge for the second year in a row, I knew The Cork City Marathon would be the ultimate goal.”
Finn is passionate about being active, as well as music.
“I love being active and the outdoors. On weekends I busk in Cork City and I hope to pursue a career in the film and music industry.
“I chose The Cork City Marathon in particular as I think the city of Cork is so beautiful and when I busk, the atmosphere that the city has is just so different to anywhere I’ve been. I completed a leg of The Cork City Marathon as part on a relay team in 2017 and the atmosphere was so electric, I can’t wait to experience the full thing in June.”
