Hi there, I'm Ian and I'm not a runner, yet I'm taking part in the Half Marathon as part of The Great Limerick Run on Sunday 5th of May 2019 and then a Full Marathon as part of the Clonakilty Waterfront Marathon event on Sunday November 30th 2019.

Up until May 2018 I weighed 350lbs and was on the way to an early grave. I made the decision to conquer morbid obesity and to mark that decision, I want to run 13 miles a year after I could barely run for 13 seconds!

Then, in November, to mark the 1 year anniversary of starting to run, I want to run a marathon. Ever since I was a kid I've considered the marathon to be the pinnacle of human achievement and endurance. I always thought "one day". Well that day is November 30th in Cork, just down the road from my parents gaff.

After my son Hank died, I fell into a dark place. I focused on everyone but myself. I had always struggled with my weight, but in the 8 years since his death, I really didn't give a crap about myself. I stood back and watched out of the corner of my eye as I became more and more overweight, finding my comfort in food. I was going to die.

Instead, I conquered obesity by losing 125 lbs in 6 months. I was compelled to run. I have no idea why. I just ran. Once I finished my first 5k I was hooked. I'm 47. A bit late for this malarkey, but better late then dead!

Last year I began attending the group meeting for bereaved fathers that A Little Lifetime Foundation offered. It was hugely instrumental in my recovery. They deserve so much more than anything I can raise by running a few miles and raising a few quid.

I love my son Hank. He may be absent, but my love for him is very much alive. I'm running for him and his mum and his brother.

Please give what you can to help honour his memory and in turn help other bereaved parents and brothers and sisters that live with the same absence in their lives.

All funds raised here will go directly to A Little Lifetime, I don't see a penny.
Please donate whatever you can.

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Thanks a million for your support!
Ian

Please visit the website www.runningforhank.com for more information

EDIT: I have added the event Wicklow Ecotrail taking place on the 28th of September to my year of #runningforhank