SECOND-year Godolphin Flying Start trainees Emma Coleman (IRE), Caitlin Smith (AUS) and Julie Witt (USA) are attempting to each run a full marathon (42km) in the confines of their Sydney hotel rooms during their mandatory 14-day quarantine period.

The trainees are taking on this challenge to raise money for Hurling for Cancer, which has gone virtual this year to raise funds for the Irish Cancer Society’s research. First-year trainees, who are currently based at Kildangan, Co Kildare, are also getting involved with the virtual event by undertaking a series of filmed hurling challenges.

Dublin native Emma Coleman said: “Safe to say my knees and hips are already caving in from the tight turns in my 10-metre wide hotel room and there will definitely be no records set for the fastest 5km but it’s all for a great cause. We have received great support from our family and friends back home and a huge thank you to everyone who has donated so far. It’s great to be able to contribute to such a brilliant cause during these two weeks of quarantine in Sydney.”

Donations can be made via the Hurling for Cancer Just Giving page at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/hurlingforcancer.