“When you are trying to make an impact and really get a point across, you have to do something mad,” says Mark Rodgers before he laces up for an unusual birthday challenge.
Mark’s “something mad” is running 50km as he turns 50, in a bid to raise €50,000 for autism supports across Donegal.
The Letterkenny man, who turned 50 on Monday, has never taken on anything like this before.
In fact, his first ever marathon was only three weeks ago, as part of his training for the big event on Sunday 24th May.
Mark’s 50K at 50 is far from mad. He’s going beyond the usual 42km marathon distance for families left behind in Donegal.
Mark’s 16-year-old daughter Shayna is on the autism spectrum, as are three of his nephews.
“She is a very special girl,” Mark tells Donegal Daily. “We wouldn’t change her for the world.”
Mark and his 19-year-old son Jamie will take on the 50km run on 24th May, setting off from Letterkenny Community Centre at 9am and making their way to Derry.
The fundraiser is in aid of iCare Donegal, Bluestack Foundation, Letterkenny Autism Support, St Bernadette’s, Little Angels and Ballyraine NS.
The challenge began as a way for Mark to raise funds and awareness for autism services, but once his eldest got involved, it became a shared journey between father and son.
Jamie, who is studying Construction QS at ATU, is balancing his first year exams with the demands of training.
His response when he heard about his father’s challenge was immediate: “If you’re doing it, I am doing it.”
“When we started off, this was all about autism, but it’s bringing us closer together,” said Mark.
“It’s a massive commitment from him. He should be out enjoying himself instead of running marathons with me.”
Mark Rodgers and his son Jamie completed the Westport Marathon on 18th April
Mark started training on St Stephen’s Day 2025, beginning with his first 12k run. Since then, it has been five months of constant preparation. All the while, he has been juggling the training with his work as co-owner of Letterkenny Glass.
Coach Marty Lynch has also been a huge support, helping Mark and Jamie with their weekly schedules.
But Mark says their commitment pales in comparison to the dedication of volunteers across Donegal.
“That is five months of three runs a week, long runs at the weekend, but it’s only five months,” he said.
“All the people who do voluntary work in the centres like the Bluestack Foundation, iCare and the Autism Support Centre are doing this every day of the week, every year, all year round.
“This is just a short commitment from us, but we are not living with the intensity of it every day.”
Mark and his wife Yvonne had Shayna assessed for autism when she was three years old and wasn’t reaching her speech and interaction milestones.
When they got the news that Shayna was on the spectrum, they were full of the uncertainty that many parents experience.
“All the thoughts were running around our heads. How severe will she be? What can we do to help her? How can we give her the best possible chance in life?” he said.
Early intervention, he believes, made a huge difference.
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“There is no point in hiding behind a curtain,” he said.
“Do not wait for children to catch up later when they are in school. They need intervention from day one.”
Shayna has made remarkable progress with support at home and in school. She attended Ballyraine NS, where Mark said she received huge support from teachers and staff, before moving on to Raphoe Royal. Now in Transition Year, she is looking ahead to the future with hopes of going on to university to study Veterinary Medicine. That progress is proof of what can happen when children receive the right support early and are given the chance to thrive.
Mark also paid tribute to his wife Yvonne, who he said has been central to Shayna’s development and to the fundraiser itself.
“Yvonne has been an absolute rock, getting us gels, T-shirts, making sure we are eating right,” he said.
“Without her, we wouldn’t be able to do this.”
When an autism diagnosis comes through, families need immediate support, and Mark believes there should be more opportunities for parents to meet, talk and share what they have learned. He would like to see a designated autism centre in every county.
“There should be help for the children and help for the parents. Somewhere to drop children off for a parent to spend a little bit of time themselves, to go to the gym, go for a walk, meet friends for a cup of coffee,” he said.
“That is all getting offered in most centres in Donegal at the minute, but it’s all voluntary. They are not getting recognised for the work that they do.”
He hopes the funds from 50K at 50 will make a practical difference, both for local organisations and for schools supporting pupils with autism.
As well as equipment and resources, Mark would love to see some of the money used to create happy experiences for children and families.
“I want to see parents and kids set aside money to do something special, for an outing, a trip to the zoo, or something that will make them smile,” he said.
“We all deserve to be happy.”
Mark Rodgers – 50k at 50 Charity Run for Autism in Donegal
The run itself will be no easy feat. Mark and Jamie plan to keep a pace of around six-minute kilometres, and they’ll need all the support they can get.
The response so far has already encouraged people to get involved, including some who have never run before but want to take part for autism.
People are being asked to wear blue on the day and join Mark and Jamie anywhere along the route. They can jump in at any point and run any distance, whether that is a short stretch, the final 5k or 10k, or part of the longer route.
With support from Divers Hyundai, cars will be looping along the route to bring people back to their starting points.
“It doesn’t matter where you start or where you stop, you’ll get back to where you started,” Mark said.
The fundraiser is supported by a wide network of local sponsors and businesses, including Bonnar Engineering, Letterkenny Concrete, Voodoo Venue, Kernan Group, Damien Daly, Boyle Construction, Benedicts Hotel Belfast, 1 Stop Motor Shop, Ashley Martin Shopfitters, Daytona Heavy Haulage, Mill Park Hotel, Letterkenny Glass, C&M Embroidery, Browne Printers, Signal Signs, Letterkenny Athletic Club, Milford Athletic Club and Divers Hyundai.
A special word of thanks goes to Aidan Spence of Spence Digital who has helped to get the campaign off the ground and has been instrumental in the organisation.
Mark said the goal remains to raise €50,000, but they would be delighted to go the extra mile.
“We are pushing for the fifty, but if we get to 60, we’ll be really happy,” he said. “The funds will be easier to split!”
To donate, please visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/50k-at-50-charity-run-for-autism
Follow Mark and Jamie’s challenge (plus live updates on the 24th May) here: https://www.facebook.com/50kat50