Record-breaking 26 Peaks attempt to kick off in Mayo next Wednesday

A gruelling attempt to complete the 26 Peaks challenge of Ireland while raising funds for youth mental health services will kick off in Mayo next Wednesday, October 2. 

The 26 Peaks Challenge will see entrepreneur, fitness trainer and endurance athlete John Belton and his running partner John O’Regan, attempt to summit the 26 highest peaks of Ireland in less than 100 hours. 

The pair are aiming to break a record previously set by John Belton 20 years ago as part of a team of 12 and raise €26,000 for youth mental health charity Jigsaw.

The challenge kicks off next week, starting with Mweelra peak, and will see the team travel across the country from peak to peak aiming to complete the challenge in less than 96 hours, finishing the challenge summiting Errigal in County Donegal.

John Belton has worked in the fitness industry for over 24 years, and is the go-to performance coach for several successful business people and well-known names. Mr Belton has completed numerous endurance challenges in recent years. 

Coming seventh in The Ice Ultra Challenge Sweden and second in The Jungle Ultra Challenge through the Amazon, he is no stranger to a challenge.

Furthermore, Mr O’Regan is a three-time Irish National Champion in the 24-hour race category and has represented Ireland at World and European levels in various ultra-distance events, including 100 kilometre, Ultra Trail, and 24-hour races. 

Mr O’Regan has acted as a guide runner for visually impaired athletes, including Mark Pollock and Sinead Kane. He is also a running coach, personal trainer, and member of the advisory panel for ultra running with Athletics Ireland.

Speaking ahead of the challenge, Mr Belton, who has recently turned 40, reflected on his career and life to date. 

“I have realised how much being outdoors and taking on physical challenges have helped me to overcome my own mental health struggles.

“Over 20 years ago I was in a very different place in my life – partying, drinking, and crashing cars, and I lacked any clear goal or vision. Through my job at the time I became involved in a challenge to summit the 26 peaks of Ireland, and this had a transformative impact on me,” he explained.

Mr Belton said this sparked his love of coaching and made him realise ‘how being outdoors is a really valuable tool for me personally in managing my mental health and giving me clarity’.

“I know that for many young people, going outdoors simply isn’t enough to help with their mental health– and that’s where mental health charities like Jigsaw comes in,” he continued.

Mr Belton said young people with significant mental health challenges need ‘targeted supports from professionals’. 

“I am asking the people of Mayo to donate to support the challenge and help me to raise vital funds for Jigsaw,” he concluded.

For more information, and to donate, see the fundraiser’s iDonate page.