Paraic O’Neill is a 27 year old Irish ultra endurance runner now living in Australia, a place that has given him not only new opportunities but also a true sense of home far from home. After a year of growth, experience, and connection, he is now driven to give something meaningful back.

For Paraic, this journey is deeply personal. He met Cathal Scanlon in primary school in Adare, where a small all boys school shaped strong and lasting friendships. They grew up side by side and continued to the same secondary school, sharing the years that help define who you become. Cathal was more than a friend, he was a childhood best friend and a constant presence through it all.

As children, the reality of cystic fibrosis was never fully understood. There were hospital visits, tablets, and daily routines, but Cathal always came back smiling and positive, making everything feel normal. Only later, with time and perspective, did the truth become clear, the quiet strength behind his smile and the constant fight he carried each day, often unseen.

Losing Cathal at just 21 did not feel real, and in many ways, it still does not. It is the kind of loss that stays with you and quietly shapes the way forward. In July 2021, Paraic and a group of close school friends ran and cycled across Ireland in Cathal’s memory, raising over 58,000 euros. What began as a tribute soon became something greater, a sense of purpose. Since then, Paraic has used endurance challenges as a platform to raise awareness and funds for cystic fibrosis, pushing himself beyond limits while carrying Cathal’s memory with him every step of the way.

This April, he will take on his biggest challenge yet, running 1,200 kilometres from Melbourne to Sydney. Over 24 days, he will cover 50 kilometres each day, a relentless test of endurance, resilience, and purpose, with every step driven by remembrance and the determination to make a difference.

You can be part of this journey. Follow along, share his story, and show your support as Paraic takes on this incredible challenge to honour Cathal and raise awareness for cystic fibrosis.