LETTERKENNY man James Maguire, who sustained brain trauma six years ago, has completed a 460km race as part of a six-man team to highlight men’s mental health.
James, who is the son of Kenny and Kate Maguire from Illistrin, achieved the extraordinary endurance feat after completing The Speed Project: CHX → MARS in August 2024.
The challenge, an unsupported and unsanctioned 440 km relay from Chamonix at the base of Mont Blanc to the beaches of Marseille, is renowned for its ‘no rules, no spectators’ ethos and extreme physical and mental demands.
The team finished in an exceptional 32 hours and 37 minutes, placing fourth out of 36 ultra-running teams from around the world and exceeding their target time by over seven hours, ultimately covering a total distance of 460 km.
Team &Again undertook the challenge to raise funds and awareness for Movember, using endurance sport as a platform to highlight the importance of men speaking openly about mental health.
Their efforts generated significant online engagement across running communities globally and have so far raised €8,790 for the charity.
For James, the achievement marks a deeply personal milestone.
Six years ago, James was involved in a serious accident in Dublin which resulted in a bleed and swelling on the left side of his brain.
After urgent surgery, including a Cranioplasty to relieve cranial pressure, James spent a week in intensive care at Beaumont Hospital followed by months of rehabilitation in the Adams McConnell Ward.
Reflecting on the experience, James said: “I remember weeks after the surgery, one of the surgeons shaking my hand and saying it was one of the fastest recoveries they had ever seen.
“I’ll never forget how amazing the staff were in Beaumont Hospital.
“Without them I would not have had such a positive outcome, and I am now six years on, living a normal life.
“I will always be grateful to the staff and medical teams at Beaumont Hospital.”
Last year, James’s family, parents Kenny and Kate, uncle and celebrity chef Nevin Maguire, sisters Hannah and Molly, and brothers Emmett and Johnny, took part in a fundraising event, The Kitchen of Hope, to show their appreciation for the hospital’s care.
The Speed Project CHX → MARS took place from August 22 to 25, 2024, with the team running continuously in rotating relay format through rural France, mountain passes, valleys and countryside roads before reaching the finish line on the Marseille shoreline.
Team &Again was made up of Conor Maguire, David Gahan, Eoghan Duffy, James Maguire, Ben Crangle and Frank Rafferty, supported by logistics crew Declan and Helena Gahan, media team Harry O’Tool and Joe Ladrigan, and physio support from Lynda Gahan.
Their remarkable journey has been captured in a feature documentary titled ‘As The Crow Flies’, which will premiere privately for family and friends on December 6 before its public release on the Team &Again YouTube channel on December 7.
The documentary follows the physical, emotional and logistical challenges of the 460 km race and highlights the personal stories behind the team’s commitment to raising awareness for men’s mental health.
In another remarkable milestone, James completed the Dublin City Marathon on October 26, adding a major endurance achievement to an already unforgettable year.
Crossing the finish line in the capital held special significance given his recovery journey began there six years ago following his accident.
His participation in the marathon not only showcased his continued dedication to physical and mental resilience but also served as a powerful reminder of how far he has come, from intensive care in a Dublin hospital to running Ireland’s largest marathon with strength, purpose and gratitude.
