Dublin man to run double length of Ireland for charity

Chris Connolly, a Dublin man who has successfully navigated addiction, is preparing for an ambitious charity run. He plans to traverse the entire length of Ireland, from Malin Head in County Cork to Mizen Head in County Donegal, and then return, covering over 1,000 kilometers. The challenge is set to commence on June 1, with all proceeds benefiting Family Carers Ireland.

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I made the correlation between me trying to get sober and me trying to do the challenges being the same. I tried relentlessly to get sober and never could. I failed and failed and relapsed and relapsed. I never thought I could get there, but one day I got there. I'll make mistakes, I’ll fail, but I need to continue to get back up. This is me getting back up for a third time.

This marks Connolly's third attempt at this feat. He shared that a profound realization helped him persevere after previous setbacks: "I made the correlation between me trying to get sober and me trying to do the challenges being the same," he told RTÉ News. "I tried relentlessly to get sober and never could. I failed and failed and relapsed and relapsed. I never thought I could get there, but one day I got there. I'll make mistakes, I’ll fail, but I need to continue to get back up. This is me getting back up for a third time."

Running has been a transformative force in Connolly's life over the past five years, serving as "a tool to stay sober." He feels a strong drive to fundraise for charity, stating, "when you’re in a position where life is going good, that’s when it’s time to give back." He hopes his journey will demonstrate to others, particularly those in recovery or still struggling with addiction, that achieving one's dreams is possible.

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when you’re in a position where life is going good, that’s when it’s time to give back.

Connolly's training regimen for this third attempt is described as "much more intense" than before. He runs 20-30km daily, followed by an additional 10-15km in the evenings, and incorporates weight training. During the actual challenge, he anticipates covering 60-80km per day. He emphasizes the importance of community involvement, noting, "The biggest mistake on the last attempt was not including people outside of it. I need community, I need connectivity. I've done this challenge on my own and failed twice already, so if nothing changes, nothing will change." Updates and route information will be available on his social media accounts, 'Get Better With Chris'.

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The biggest mistake on the last attempt was not including people outside of it. I need community, I need connectivity. I've done this challenge on my own and failed twice already, so if nothing changes, nothing will change.