Mullinahone.net

It's five years now since former Mullinahone hurling star John Leahy hung up his boots, but during that time the Mullinahone native has kept up a regular fitness regime that has kept him in good shape.

Now, five years on from the time he played his last game of hurling for his local club, Leahy has another challenge ahead -- the Lifestyle adidas Dublin Marathon on October 27 next.

Widely acknowledged as one of the finest hurlers to come out of Tipperary, Leahy is firmly fixed on his marathon training plan devised by former national marathon champion Gary Crossan.

"I am part of a marathon team that includes former Tyrone football star Peter Canavan," John Leahy said.

"There are six of us on this volunteer team and we will all have our individual targets for finishing what will be for each of us our first marathon. I am already finding it a great challenge and I am now looking forward to my first experience of taking part in a road race when I plan to run in the Lifestyle Sports adidas Irish Runner Challenge -- the 5 mile event -- in the Phoenix Park on Saturday July 12."

Leahy does an hour of training most days -- a mixture of walking, jogging and running that has worked well to date. "I suffered a lot with knee injuries during my hurling career and I had operations on the crutiate ligament on each knee," he said.

Leahy will turn 39 shortly before his marathon debut and he is glad that he continued with his fitness regime after his playing days were finished.

"It makes a big difference when you keep your fitness levels up to a reasonable level," Leahy said.

"The marathon will give Peter and myself a new challenge and I hope that he will also be running in the Irish Runner Challenge. I am targeting the three races in the Lifestyle/adidas Race Series as stepping stones to the marathon and I am eager to see how I will fare in the first race of the series."

A Dublin-based charity is also set to benefit from John Leahy's marathon challenge as he is hoping to raise funds for TRUST -- a charity based near the Christ church area of the city that helps many homeless people with clothing and medical back-up.

"A namesake of my own, Alice Leahy, from Fethard in Tipperary, does some wonderful work at TRUST and I am only delighted to help a great cause," Leahy said.

The Mullinahone man would be delighted to hear from anyone willing to contribute to his fundraising efforts. He can be contacted at 087 648 6295.

Meanwhile, entries continue to flow in at a fast rate for the Lifestyle Sports adidas Irish Runner Challenge.

There are close to two thousand entries received to date and the daily volume of entries being received is increasing each day.

An entry of three thousand plus is now expected for the Lifestyle Sports adidas Irish Runner.

Full information on the Race Series and the Marathon is available at www.dublinmarathon.ie. Entry to the Race Series is available online at that web address.