At the end of this month, Colin Goodman and Matt Knaggs are taking on a truly remarkable challenge — one as inspiring as it is ambitious: running the length of Ireland, from Mizen Head in County Cork to Malin Head in County Donegal.
In this conversation, Colin shares the story behind the challenge — all in support of MS Runs Ireland — exploring the motivation, the meaning, and the miles still to come.
What is MS Runs Ireland?
MS Runs Ireland is an attempt to run the length of Ireland, from Mizen Head in County Cork to Malin Head in County Donegal. Starting on 29 June 2026, we'll cover approximately 350 miles over 10 to 12 days, averaging around 30 to 35 miles every day.
For many people, Mizen to Malin is a bucket-list cycle or road trip, but we've decided to run it. We're also attempting a Guinness World Record as part of the challenge.
Who is taking part?
The challenge is being led by myself Colin Goodman from Northern Ireland and Matt Knaggs from Ohio, USA—both of us live with multiple sclerosis (MS). We first connected through Matt's ‘Running with MS’ community. What started as two runners encouraging each other through the challenges of living with MS, has grown into a friendship, a podcast, and now a plan to run the length of Ireland together.
Strangely, our lives are remarkably similar. I'm only two weeks older than Matt. We both have three children of similar ages. We're both runners. We both live with MS. And neither of us has allowed that diagnosis to define what we're capable of.
Why are you doing this?
At its heart, this challenge is about raising awareness, hope, and funds for MS research and support. MS can change a person's life completely. It can affect energy, mobility, confidence, independence, and the way someone sees their future. We want to show that while MS is incredibly difficult, it doesn't have to be the end of the story.
This run is our way of demonstrating that people living with MS can still pursue adventure, challenge themselves, and achieve things that might seem impossible.
The message is simple: There is always hope.
What will the journey look like?
The route takes us across Ireland through towns, villages, country roads, hills, and some very long stretches between them. There will be early mornings, late nights, sore legs, tired crew members, emotional moments, and undoubtedly a few bad decisions.
One of our overnight stops is even at Glenstal Abbey, where we'll be staying with monks along the route.
So the challenge includes ultrarunning, MS awareness, friendship, a Guinness World Record attempt, nightly podcast recordings, and monks. So, yes, it's exactly as mad as it sounds.
How will people be able to follow along?
We'll be documenting the entire journey through the ‘Idiots Go Running’ podcast and our social media channels. The plan is to record and release a podcast episode every night during the challenge, sharing the reality of the day, the highs, lows, setbacks, laughs, and everything in between.
The story has already attracted support and interest from some brilliant people and platforms, including Montel Williams and Ireland AM.
We've also spoken at the NI Running Show, and we're hopeful there will be opportunities to continue sharing the story at future running events.
Why does Bailies Coffee Roasters feel like such a good fit?
Well, on a personal level, I've been a huge Bailies fan for years. The microlots have always been my favourite. I love opening a new bag and discovering something completely different each time.
As someone who spends a lot of time running, training, travelling, and recording podcasts, coffee has become one of those small daily rituals that keeps me going through early starts and long days. So having Bailies support this challenge feels genuinely special.
What role will coffee play during the challenge?
A significant one! Coffee will be there before early starts, during crew stops, after long days on the road, and during our nightly podcast recordings when we're trying to process what just happened.
Your support helps fuel the miles, but it also becomes part of the story we're telling.
And for that, we're incredibly grateful.
To donate to MS Runs Ireland, follow the link here.
Quick Facts
Challenge: Running the length of Ireland with MS diagnosis
Route: Mizen Head to Malin Head
Start Date: 29 June 2026
Distance: Approximately 357 miles
Duration: 10/12 days
Daily Mileage: 30/35 miles per day
Cause: Raising awareness and funds for MS research and support
Podcast: Idiots Go Running
Instagram: @idiotsgorunning
Website: msrunsireland