500 Runners €500

The challenge of running over 60 marathons, and more than 2,000 miles in 43 different countries over four years might be daunting enough for most people, but not Johnny Donnelly.

The former Sawdoctor, 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“ said Johnny “I just want to get 500 people out there running alongside me in Dublin on October 26th” to help end extreme Poverty.

Donnelly already has fifteen people signed up including Today FM presenter Ray Darcy, who will run Dublin for his second time.

Everyone who signs up to run with Johnny will get automatic entry into Dublin, a runners 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 Johnny at the starting line in Dublin on Monday October 26th.

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.

“Ideally, I would love someone from every county in Ireland to join this team” said Donnelly “I see us as this big virtual family of runners from all over Ireland, that will meet in person for the first time on Monday October 26th,and all of us running together that day for a common good”

Anyone interested in joining Johnny’s team for the 30th Lifestyle Sports adidas Dublin Marathon can sign up @ www.runjohnnyrun.ie or www.dublinmarathon.ie