Two men are preparing to undergo one of the most gruelling endurance events this weekend for a worthy cause - in their own homes.
Ian Purcell and Kevin Ryan from Clonmel in Co Tipperary are aiming to complete a full Ironman Triathlon, separately, while staying within their 2km limits on Sunday.
They are aiming to raise €10,000 for Children's Health Ireland at Crumlin in Dublin and are already well over halfway towards their target, despite deciding just last week to take on the task.
Both are experienced Ironman triathletes, but this will be their first time taking on the distances indoors of a 3.8km swim, 180km cycle and 42.2km marathon run.
Mr Purcell said he has seen at first hand, from close family experience, the work done at the hospital in Crumlin.
"The job that all our frontline staff are doing in this time of crisis is forever in our debt and when it comes to helping children the staff at Crumlin are the real super heroes in all this."
The whole event will be streamed live on Facebook, Instagram, Zwift, and as many other social media outlets as possible, and they are hoping as many people as possible will join them remotely on part of the venture during Sunday.
Mr Ryan will start the 3.8km swim at 5.30am in the "endless pool" the duo built earlier this year for training purposes and then hop onto his bike for the 180km cycle.
In the meantime, Mr Purcell will start his swim, socially distant from Kevin, at 8.30am, before driving the 2km to his house to start the bike leg.
They will then run the marathon section, separately, on treadmills.
"We would love for as many people as possible to get involved in this, tell your friends, tell everyone," Mr Purcell says.
"Cycle as little or as much of it with us on Zwift, do your own run at home, record it and send it to us, get the family and kids involved, they will love the challenge.
"We will each cover exactly 226.3kms and it will take each of us approximately 11 to 13 hours to complete."
Mayo athlete doing triathlon in his back yard
Elsewhere, a Mayo athlete is also undertaking a triathlon challenge to raise funds for local charities.
Stephen Donnelly is hoping to complete an Ironman race in his back yard to support frontline healthcare workers.
Instead of the usual sea swim, road cycle and marathon, he is using a treadmill, an exercise bike and an industrial sized refuse skip filled with water to complete the task.
The 33-year-old started at 7am by swimming in the three metre skip and using a bungee rope for resistance.
He then switched to his bike to undertake a 180km cycle.
Several of his friends around Mayo joined in the cycle, streaming their efforts to his home in Ballina, during the course of this part of the "race".
After pedalling for over four-and-a-half hours, he took a quick break before hopping on his treadmill, where he is on the final leg of the task, running a marathon.
Additional reporting Pat McGrath
