The challenge of running some 60 marathons, and more than 2,000 miles in 43 different countries over four years might be daunting enough for most people, but not for former Sawdoctor Johnny Donnelly who is now calling on Galway runners to join him in the Dublin marathon.
Donnelly who is currently on mile 554 and marathon 19 of his four year odyssey has set himself the task of convincing 500 Irish people to run alongside him in the 30th anniversary of the Lifestyle Sports-adidas Dublin Marathon this October and each raise €500 for the Irish charity Seachange.
“You can be a first time runner, or a veteran of every Dublin marathon to date. I just want to get 500 people out there running alongside me in Dublin on October 26 to help end extreme poverty. Ideally I would like someone from every county, it's going to be interesting to see how many Galway runners sign up, they have a great running tradition, so I would expect a huge response,” said Donnelly.
Donnelly already has 15 people signed up including Today FM presenter Ray Darcy, who will run Dublin for his second time. Everyone who signs up to run will get automatic entry into Dublin, a runner’s pack, and access to online support from a team of experts including a nutritionist, physiotherapist, Pilates instructor and marathon trainer.
The only commitment required is to raise €500 for Seachange and to join Donnelly at the starting line in Dublin on Monday October 26. Seachange is an Irish charity working to eradicate world poverty through micro credit, giving tiny loans to the world’s poorest to help them help themselves.
Anyone interested in joining the team for the 30th Lifestyle Sports-adidas Dublin Marathon can sign up by logging onto www.runjohnnyrun.ie or www.dublinmarathon.ie
