Tony on N83, Roger at Brandenburg Gate
Kevin and Tony on the N17
Dubliner Tony Mangan has been on a World Jog for four years and he returned to Ireland on 13th September having completed over 48,000 kilometres. Tony is a member of Metro St Brigids AC and a former record holder for 48 hrs continuous running on indoor track and also on treadmill. He has been involved in ultra running for most of his life and his World Jog is the culmination of a 20 year dream. He set out from Dublin on Marathon day Oct 25th 2010. To celebrate the end of the four year jog Tony set out again just over a week ago to run a lap of Ireland including Malin to Mizen -600 kilometres- and he plans to finish the four years world jog by running the Dublin Marathon on October 27th and achieving a distance of 50,000 kilometres.
Today he crossed over into Mayo on a leg that started in Curry Co Sligo at 8.50 a.m. He was heading for Dunmore. We met up with him after he came through Charlestown and headed up the hill near Knock Airport. He had been joined by Kevin Scanlon who travelled over from Arklow this morning to support him as he went along the N17 hard shoulder.
Progress was slow but steady as we turned on to the N83 for Ballyhaunis. Tony had physio treatment twice on Saturday for a painful knee. Every step of the way has been monitored and validated by a Spot device carried by Tony. His support crew of Siobhan and Billy help him with all necessary arrangements of accommodation, and direction as well as providing sustenance. Much of this comes in the form of donations by well wishers. As we approached Ballyhaunis Sean Murphy came along in full club racing regalia, and Seamus Mc joined the entourage on his trusty bike. Some of the stats from this amazing and unique journey are mind boggling. On 18th September Tony had completed 48,598km for 1,120 road days. = 1,151.74 marathons. At present as he rests before the Dunmore – Galway leg tomorrow (Monday) morning, his world jog has covered 1,434 days 9 hrs 23 mins and counting.
Kevin, Billy, Tony Mangan, Siobhan on N83
You can check out his incredible story and latest news at www.worldjog/blog
Meanwhile, at the Berlin Marathon today our own Roger Barrett had a brilliant run finishing with a PB in 2:30:14 – well inside his 2:32:53 finish at the 2012 Dublin Marathon. Roger narrowly missed out on his target sub 2:30, but on this form he will soon achieve that goal. Congratulations, Roger! Well done too to his colleague Michael Canty who finished in 2:36 also a PB for the Ballina AC athlete.
On Saturday in the tough Clew Bay Half Marathon, well done to Mayo AC’s Noel Gibbons who came home first in 1:2227. Our other finishers were Brendan Gill 1:29:33, Michael McNeela 1:33:06, Ambrose Gaughan 1:48:16, Gerry Corley 1:56:33.
On Sunday, Patrick Moran M55 ran 79:11 in the Sligo Coast to Coast 10 miles, a big step up from his normal track & field events and occasional 5k. Well done, Patrick