Help Aoife Cooke's Olympic dream
On Sunday 23rd April, Aoife Cooke (aka The Elfin Beast) won the Cheshire Elite Marathon and secured the qualifying time for the Tokyo Olympics. Aoife’s story is an inspirational fairytale. At the tender age of 17, Aoife took up a US scholarship at Arkansas Tech University. Unfortunately, just as her hopes and dreams of Olympic stardom began to bear fruit, they were shattered. Overtraining and undereating led to a series of horrendous pelvic fractures. Doctors diagnosed Aoife with osteopenia (weak bones). Heartbroken, Aoife returned to Cork, believing she’d never run again. But champions overcome adversity… Years later, after undergoing strength training and improving her nutrition, Aoife laced up her shoes and went for a jog. Fast forward a few years to the start line of the Cheshire Elite Marathon and 2:28:36 later, Aoife broke the tape to take the win and smash the Olympic qualifying time. Throughout the dark years, Aoife fought the demons of doubt and fear and rose again. While working 30+ hours a week as a personal trainer, she ran twice a day, banging out 100+ miles a week. Around the globe, thousands tuned in to watch Aoife’s incredible win. People and businesses have asked how they can support Aoife on her Olympic journey and beyond. After a short break, Aoife will hit the roads again and plans to head over to the US for altitude and warm weather training so that she’ll line up in Sapporo on the 7th August in peak condition, ready to battle the heat, humidity, and competition. If you want to help Aoife make her Olympic fairytale come true, donate by clicking on the gofundme link. All donations are greatly appreciated.
