This archive report was first published on 3 September 2019.
From Menopause to Marathon: Kelly McLay's Inspiring Journey ¶
September 2019
Kelly McLay's life took an unexpected turn when she was diagnosed with menopause at just 24 years old. The news was a shock, but it also sparked a new passion in her - running.
After receiving the diagnosis, McLay began training for the Boston Marathon, which she completed in 2011. Running became a way for her to cope with the loss and find a new sense of purpose.
McLay's journey with menopause was not without its challenges. She had to navigate the emotional ups and downs of infertility, but she remained determined to achieve her goals. In 2016, she gave birth to her daughter after undergoing IVF using an egg donor.
Just 11 months after giving birth, McLay stood in sub-zero temperatures and completed a marathon on each of the seven continents. This incredible feat earned her a place among the 25 women in the world to run seven marathons on seven continents in seven days.
Thirteen years after her initial diagnosis, McLay crossed another finish line, this time in Dublin, carrying her favorite title of all time: 'mom.'
