Introduction
In 2026, two friends who have never met in person will take on the greatest running challenges of their lives. Bound together by a shared diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, a love of running, and an attraction to adventure, Matt Knaggs and Colin Goodman will run across the entire country of Ireland—from Mizen Head in the south to Malin Head in the north.
The cause of their friendship – an unexpected “blessing”
In 2017, while playing a game of football, Colin suddenly started seeing double. What began as laughs from friends over his sudden loss of skill turned into concern as he struggled to see straight and keep his balance. An eye test showed nothing unusual, but hospital visits led to further tests, scans, and eventually a referral to a neurologist. When he heard the words Multiple Sclerosis, his world stopped. His wife Rachel’s uncle had died young from MS, and that was all he knew of the condition. Fear set in. Over time Colin realised it was the beginning of a different kind of fight. Running became his therapy, and his way to take back control.
2 years later in 2019, Matt began to experience lots of odd sensations. He was frequently overcome with waves of imbalance, dizziness, and weakness. He would often be violently awakened by involuntary jerking of his head or limbs. He would experience bouts of extreme fatigue – no matter how much rest he got. But what scared him the most? Shocks of electricity, pulsating through his body. After 9 months of tests, MRIs, and eventually a weeklong hospital stay – Matt too had his answer: Multiple Sclerosis – with lesions present in his brain and spinal cord. His initial prognosis was grim. “Patients with as much damage as you in their nervous system are usually in a wheelchair within 5 years.” This spurred Matt to get back into running. He had always been a casual runner - but now he was running with purpose; to do what he can for as long as he can.
An Untraditional Beginning
While Colin and Matt had different paths to their MS diagnosis, the story of their friendship also started in a rather untraditional way - thousands of miles apart, connected through the shared challenge of MS and the power of community. After Matt was diagnosed, he founded a Facebook support group called Running With MS. A few years later, Colin joined the group while training for his attempt at running – you guessed it – the length of Ireland. Though Colin’s first attempt ended near Limerick after four days of running, his courage and determination sparked a lasting friendship.
The two began speaking more often. Despite never having met in person, Matt and Colin discovered striking similarities: born the same year, in the same month, both with three children, on the same MS treatment, and both focused on positivity and “doing what they can” for as long as they can. They began calling themselves “MS twins.”
If Matt and Colin are “brothers separated by an ocean”, then what would that make Matt and Andrew – Colin’s brother, with whom Colin hosts the podcast “Idiots Go Running”? The podcast chronicles the two brothers’ running adventures, and because of the podcast, Matt and Andrew have also developed a friendship. All of Colin’s biggest running adventures have included Andrew in some way, so it was only natural for Matt to get to know Colin’s brother, too.
The Dream of an Epic Run
Over the years, Matt and Colin often talked about how incredible it would be to take on an epic run together. In early 2024, they set their sights on running Mizen to Malin in 2027. But in July 2025, Matt’s wife Amber suggested moving the date forward. Her encouragement: If you’re ready and able to do it now, why wait? Seize the moment!
Matt and Colin agreed. Together with Andrew, they set the date: June 29, 2026.
The Challenge
The trio will run nearly 350 miles in 10–12 days, averaging 30–35 miles per day and climbing 19,000 feet of elevation. Andrew will run alongside Matt and Colin, symbolic of the fact that MS doesn’t just impact those diagnosed, but also the families and loved ones who walk (and run) this journey too.
Why We Run
This run is about enjoying the adventure of life. It’s about proving that MS doesn’t have to sideline anyone - that we are still capable of incredible things. It’s about friendship, perseverance, and showing others living with MS or chronic illness that their lives can still be filled with adventure and triumph.
It’s also about raising awareness and funds to support the fight against MS across the U.S., the U.K., and Ireland.
Fundraising Goal
Matt, Colin, and Andrew are setting an ambitious goal: to raise £100,000 across three charities that are making a difference in the lives of those impacted by MS:
MS Society NI: Supporting Colin’s home country, this organization funds research into new treatments, provides resources for those newly diagnosed, and advocates for better care and support. All money raised will support the work on the new research hub at QUB.
MS Society Ireland: As the country they will cross on foot, this organization supports people living with MS in Ireland through services, advocacy, and community programs.
MS Run the US (United States): A nonprofit near and dear to Matt’s heart, where he also serves on the board. Matt ran nearly 150 miles for their relay in 2024. MS Run the US provides direct support to individuals living with MS, raises awareness, and funds critical research.
Who We Hope Will Join Us
We are calling on everyone to be part of this journey: individuals, families, running clubs, corporations, and running gear companies. Whether it’s sponsorship, donations, or simply sharing words of encouragement or sharing our journey with others to help us raise awareness, your support will carry us across Ireland.
In June 2026, we will put our feet to the pavement and run across an entire country—not just for ourselves, but for people impacted by MS who deserve hope, progress, and support. We invite you to join us. With your help, we can not only run 350 miles across Ireland but also help move the world closer to a future free of multiple sclerosis.
Donate today. Cheer us on. And remember: We are capable of incredible things.
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