General News
16 June, 2025
Community backs James Coghlan's epic challenge
There was no shortage of fanfare at Kruttschnitt Oval on Friday.
It is difficult to find the right words to describe the look on the face of James Coghlan as he pushed his body towards the finish line at Kruttschnitt Oval on Friday.
Determination to see out the final 5km despite injury setbacks. Surprise at the hundreds of locals who gathered to cheer him on. Respect for the selfless role his family and friends had played in his quest. Relief that his days of physical endurance were about to end. Sadness that his beloved wife Fiona was not there to share in the moment.
The proud husband, father and Mount Isan had set himself the gargantuan task of running 700km in nine days across the North West in a supreme tribute to Fiona, who tragically passed away 12 months ago after a long cancer battle.
The money raised from his nine days running between seven mines will be donated to the Mount Isa Hospital Cancer Care Unit, which had nursed Fiona and his family through the long nights of treatment.
700km was a task that many believed the middle-aged James could not achieve.
And yet he continued to train for it regardless, rising in the very early morning hours to jog along the city roadways and pathways in dogged pursuit of his goal.
At one point, he even admits he questioned his own ability as he took a tumble, alone on a road at 2am, and was concerned he may have broken a wrist in the fall.
But despite the scepticism, James set off this month on his nine-day trek, defying the odds and the naysayers until he was forced to post a heartfelt message on social media on the final night of his journey.
James explained that he had been struggling with an infection that was spreading rapidly through his legs, which made running the final 40km a near impossibility.
But spurred on by the same fighting spirit that he saw in the eyes of Fiona during her terminal battle, James announced he would still run the final 5km through Mount Isa so that he could proudly meet his family, friends and supporters at Kruttschnitt Oval.
As James set off Friday afternoon, he passed by houses with supporter signs on the fence, while there were similar well wishes strewn along the entrance at St Joseph’s Catholic School.
When he turned into Church Street and could see the touch oval's entrance gate, James was confronted with a sea of supporters lining the roadway, all clad in yellow, who were overjoyed to witness his tenacity despite the overwhelming struggles of recent times.
Running beside James in that final stretch was his daughter Charlotte.
She told North West Weekly that her parents had both shown an inspirational fighting spirit in their adversity.
“I think he was just devastated when he found out about how bad his injury was,” she said.
“But he said he was still going to press on somehow – I told him straight away that he was talking just like mum.
“The past year has been really tough for all of us, but I feel like this has really brought mum’s spirit back to be with us.
“We have just felt her all through this.
“I am so proud of dad and all he has done. He’s very tough and he was going to get over the finish line one way or another.”
Addressing the crowd at the finish line, James thanked everyone who had supported his long journey.
“This is why we live in Mount Isa,” he said.
“There are just so many beautiful people who live here. Thank you for everything.”