Leitrim man turns 5km runs into Dublin marathon achievement

When I spoke to the Leitrim Observer back in September. I was still in the middle of my training for the Dublin Marathon. At that stage I had already come a long way from where I started, but I still had the biggest challenge ahead of me.

On Sunday 25th of October, I finally got to take on the Dublin Marathon, completing the 42.2km course in a time of 4 hours, 14 minutes and 11 seconds. I also managed to raise €1,600 for LA519, a mental health charity that means a lot to me.

If someone had told me at the start of the year that I would be running a marathon, I honestly wouldn’t have believed them. I only started running in April of this year and even the thought of running 42.2km seemed impossible to me at the time.

I started out running 5km and gradually built up the distance, eventually moving on to 10km runs, half marathons and then the longer distances needed to prepare for Dublin. Looking back now, it’s hard to believe how far I’ve come in such a short space of time.

One of the biggest runs I completed during my preparation was 34km on 26th of September. It was a tough run, especially towards the end, but it gave me a real sense of how much work I’d put into getting ready for the marathon. Fitting the run around other commitments made it even more challenging, but I knew how important it was to get those long kilometres done before race day.

Since the September article, I’ve also had the opportunity to share my story with The Irish Times in an interview in October. It was great to be able to talk about my running journey, the challenge I’d taken on and why I was raising money for LA519.

Fundraising was a big part of the whole experience. I’m delighted to have raised €1,600 so far and I’m very grateful to everyone who donated and supported me along the way. Every donation means something to me and it was great to see people getting behind what I was trying to achieve.

As race day got closer, I had put hundreds of kilometres into my training. There were days when the running was tough and there were times when I questioned myself, but I kept going and focused on getting to the start line ready to give it my best.

Running the Dublin Marathon was also special because Tallaght, Dublin is where I grew up. Having moved away to Laois in 2019 and then to Leitrim in 2022, coming back to run the marathon felt like a homecoming. I wanted to enjoy the day and take in the experience of running through the streets of the city where I grew up.

On the day itself I was feeling good during the first part of the race and was on target for a sub-four-hour finish. Unfortunately at around 25km, I started experiencing a sharp, cramp-like pain in my right side, just below my ribs. It became increasingly difficult to run comfortably and I had to alternate between running and walking for much of the second half.

It wasn’t how I’d planned the day to go, especially after all the training I’d put in, but I was determined to get to that finish line. I kept going even when it became difficult and eventually crossed the line in 4:14:11.

Although I didn’t get the time I had hoped for, finishing the marathon was still a huge achievement for me. I had gone from struggling to imagine running 42.2km to actually completing the distance on the streets of Dublin.

The best parts of the Dublin marathon where the crowds arriving into Merrion Square at 7:40am there was no spectators to when my wave started at 9:05am the streets where full. The enthusiasm of everyone cheering strangers on and calling out my name as it was on a label on my race bib.

I knew there was something special about the crowds when I got to areas like Dolphins Barn, Walkinstown Roundabout, Milltown where there was so much energy to cheer everyone on.

The last 3kms were the best when my legs got tired and I couldn’t run anymore. The sheer noise and the crowds calling out my name to keep going and the Irish Life support runners where getting everyone further along. When I turned the second last corner onto Warrington Place the noise grew more and my name called out even more. After the last corner onto Mount Street I knew I couldn’t stop and pushed myself to the end.

The whole journey has taught me a lot about myself. When I first started running, I never expected it to take me this far, both physically and personally. The training itself was a massive challenge and crossing the finish line was the culmination of months of hard work.

I’m proud of what I’ve achieved, but I’m also grateful for everyone in Ballinamore and Carrigallen along with friends and family around Ireland and the UK who supported me throughout this journey. The encouragement, donations and kindness I’ve received have meant a lot to me.

Most importantly I’m glad that I was able to take on this challenge while raising €1,600 for LA519 and helping support the work they do in mental health awareness with workshops in primary and secondary schools, communities, workplaces and sports clubs.

What started out as a few 5km runs in April ended with me completing the Dublin Marathon in October. It was a journey I never imagined myself taking and one I’ll always be proud of.

If anyone wishes to donate they can do here and fundraising page closes on November 30th 2026.