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Stephen all set for epic Connor Big Run!

Thursday April 10th 2025

All set – Stephen McLoughlin, left, and his running partner Greg McClure hope to cover almost 200 miles in just four days as they raise funds for Lisburn Cathedral halls.

Unlike most of us, Lisburn Cathedral musical director Stephen McLoughlin is hoping the sunny, dry and very hot weather does not persist as we move into the weekend and beyond.

For on Saturday morning, April 12, Stephen will set out on an epic four-day run which will take him around the perimeter of the Diocese of Connor, covering almost 200 miles.

Stephen, who is partially-sighted and took up running just three years ago when he was told he could no longer drive, is raising funds for the repair of Lisburn Cathedral hall.

He anticipates covering more than 40 miles per day and will be accompanied on the entire route by his friend Greg McClure from Lisburn Community Orchestra (which meets in the Cathedral halls). Others will join him for sections of the run – Stephen put out a call for runners from parishes around the diocese last month, and is hoping a few will rise to the challenge as he pounds the roads.

You can download Stephen’s route and itinerary HERE so you know where to join him to run or simply to put your hands together to show your support.

Despite a demanding training routine – he ran a full 90 miles in seven days just a couple of weeks ago – Stephen is happy that physically he is in good shape. He has now cut the miles back dramatically as is recommended when taking on an ultra-running challenge of this nature, and he and his new trainers are raring to go.

“At present I am really just turning my legs over,” he says, “but I do have to run at least a mile every day – I began a daily running streak at Christmas and am almost at the 100 day streak, so I have to get out and do a mile or I will lose that.”

Stephen said he is ‘looking forward to the run with trepidation.’ “If it is a hot day like today, it will be deadly, but I think the weather is to become cooler on Saturday, with some drizzle which would be good for running.”

Stephen is collecting funds through Just Giving and has already raised almost 80 per cent of his £5,000 target.

He is keen to meet people en route and to encourage anyone to join him for a section of the run, however short. Don’t be afraid you can’t keep up because, as Stephen said in an earlier interview, “I am not out to win any medals for speed!”

If you would like to support Stephen by joining him for a stretch of the run, he would love to hear from you on stephenmcloughlin@me.com, or you can make a donation at Just Giving.

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