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Archive for September, 2014

Remembering Basti Haag

Sunday, September 28th, 2014

It is with deep sympathy that I make this posting dedicated to my friend Basti Haag. I discovered a couple of days ago that Basti has been killed in a tragic avalanche in the Himalayas while making a descent.

Basti a very cheerful adventurer also worked as a product development officer for my clothing sponsor UVU.

He had been a keen supporter of this run and had hoped to come out to me while I ran through his native Munich state in Germany. Unfortunately we did not meet. But he said he would be back from his expedition before I finished.

UVU  clothing designed primarily for ultra running and an anagram for You Verses You.

I dedicate my Malin Head to Mizen Head run (which is incorporated in the Ireland lap) to the memory of Basti Haag.

M2M an anagram for Malin Head to Mizen Head.

My thoughts are with Basti’s family and friends at this sad time.

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World Runners Association Press Release

Saturday, September 27th, 2014

I just had two wonderful days running with members of Sligo A.C and Tubbercurry A.C. I will blog this later.

Thanks also to Kevin Mac Glynn Sligo AC runner and manager of the Sligo Great Western Southern Hotel for a complimentary stay.

Also to club physio Jason Mac Morrow for a great rub down. And to Tubercurry super clubman Anthony Walsh and wife Angela for hosting and feeding us a delicious lasagna dinner. Anthony also arranged another wonderful rub down from local physio Elaine Williams.

Friday 46km Saturday 41km from Sligo to Curry.

Below is a press release from the World Runners Association.

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Congratulations to Tony Mangan who in the next few days will become the third person to officially complete a certified run around the world. In a few months this list will grow by one when Kevin Carr completes his run.

Please see below for details of the World Runners Association.

World Runners Association (WRA) Media Announcement
The World Runners Association (WRA) will be officially established on October 1, 2014. The WRA is the international governing body for the sport of multi-day solo running and walking events that involve a circumnavigation of the Earth on foot.
The Association’s inaugural President is Mr Phil Essam, a long-time and well respected advocate of the sport. Based in Canberra, Australia, Mr Essam will preside over a WRA membership that includes all those who have completed, or are currently in the process of completing, a fully documented circuit of the planet on foot according to the Association’s rules (a full definition of these rules is appended to this document).
The WRA will adjudicate on official attempts to run or walk around the world, including the ratification or otherwise of claims for a variety of world records. These records comprise the categories of Longest Circumnavigation of the Earth on Foot, Fastest Circumnavigation of the Earth on Foot, Most Circumnavigations of the Earth on Foot, Oldest Person to Circumnavigate the Earth on Foot and Youngest Person to Circumnavigate the Earth on Foot.
The WRA will maintain an official and on-going register of the progression of these world records and an official list of all those who have successfully circumnavigated the world on foot according to the WRA rules. While decisions about these records will be determined by the WRA, other organizations are invited to publish these same records in hard copy or electronic books and magazines they may issue from time to time.
The mission of the World Runners Association is to officially represent legitimate runners and walkers who have, are, or are intending to circumnavigate the world in way that is open, transparent, and consistent with the WRA’s rules and guidelines. Though not affiliated with the International Association of Ultrarunners (IAU), it is the intention of the World Runners Association to maintain a regular dialogue with the IAU.
As the authority that arbitrates on the acceptance or rejection of claims for successful attempts and world records in this class of athletic endeavour, the WRA will apply a rigorous yet unambiguous adjudication process. The overriding goal of the WRA is to ensure a consistency and uniformity in the rules for running and/or walking around the world, and honesty and transparency in any claims associated with attempts to do so.
The WRA is a not-for-profit organization operating on an internally democratic constitution. Membership of the World Runners Association is by invitation, though all those who are adjudged to have successfully completed a circumnavigation of the Earth on foot will automatically be invited to become a member of the organization. No joining or other fees are involved.
For information on the WRA, please email pandbessam@bigpond.com

WRA Rules and Guidelines for Circumnavigating the Earth on Foot
(i) 1. The runner must start and finish at the same place (except when starting on the edge of one continent and finishing on the edge of a fourth continent).
2. The runner must cover a total of at least 26,000 km on foot.
3. The runner must cross at least four continents from “coast to coast”, covering a minimum of 1,000 km on each continent. The two “coasts” of any given continent must front different oceans#. A tolerance of 1 km from the waters of the ocean is allowed. The four “core” continents must be crossed contiguously. (i.e. no gaps).
4. The order of the four continents (and any additional land masses) that the runner takes must be longitudinally consecutive. For example, an acceptable order would be Europe, Asia, Australia, North America, South America. An example of an unacceptable order would be Europe, Australia, South America, Asia, North America.
5. The runner must pass through antipodal points, within a tolerance of ten degrees of latitude and longitude.
6. The runner must run more than 50% of the total distance. (i.e. walk less than 50%).
7. The runner may take as many breaks as desired, with one year as the maximum for any single break, and do as he/she pleases during these breaks. Any time incurred during breaks, however, will be included as part of the runner’s official time. The total length of all breaks must constitute less than 50% of the overall time involved in the attempt.
Note: for world walkers, the same rules apply except for Rule 6.
# In the case of the European “east coast” and Asian “west coast”, this is defined as either the Bosporus / Sea of Marmara/ Dardanelles waterway, OR the border between Russia and either Georgia, Azerbaijan, or Kazakhstan, OR the edge of the Caspian Sea between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, OR the ridge line along the Ural Mountains in Russia

 

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Thanks to the wonderful Sandhouse Hotel and Marina Spa!

Thursday, September 25th, 2014

Thank you Sandhouse Hotel

Thursday 25th my effort on Co. Donegal’s rain soaked highway N15 took me 43km closer to Dublin. A freezing cold misty rain sapped my energy in the morning. After lunch I was joined by Joe Coyle a member of the local rambling club. Joe set a fair pace for the 18 kilometres we shared. We finished at the Ballyshannon roundabout towards Sligo.

With rambling man Joe Coyle

On the way he phoned Paul Diver manager of Sandhouse Hotel and Marine Spa, a beautiful beach side luxury hotel. Upon hearing of my run Paul kindly offered Siobhan and me accommodation and a delicious dinner and breakfast.
Thanks Paul, we are enjoying our night of luxury in such elegant surroundings :)

Please check out the Sandhouse website HERE

THE SANDHOUSE HOTEL & MARINE SPA, ROSSNOWLAGH, CO. DONEGAL

EMAIL: INFO@SANDHOUSE.IE

Tel: +353 (0)71 985 1777

The Marine Spa is the ideal location for guests to revitalize and rejuvenate. A harmonious blend of the latest in natural beauty and holistic therapies will heal the mind, body and soul. We specialize in Voyaand offer an organic seaweed skincare experience, Voya Organic Seaweed Baths Spa Seaweed treatments.

Imagine relaxing back into a luxurious steaming organic seaweed bath or try a massagefacialexfoliation or body wrap. VOYA have used generations of acquired wisdom about the sea to bring you an organic beauty range designed to delight and purify your body.

Marine Spa 4 Star Sandhouse Hotel Rossnowlagh Co Donegal

Prior to all treatments, your Beauty Therapist will carry out a detailed consultation and will decide which treatments will suit your needs. The treatment will be patiently explained to you as your therapist proceeds, ensuring your comfort and relaxation. All treatments are available to both men and women.

 

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My Spot Tracking Device Did Not Update Yet Again

Tuesday, September 23rd, 2014

Today was a difficult day on the road from Malin to my finish location at Grianan Hotel about 15km south west of Buncrana. Heavy afternoon rain made for miserable weather.  I was particularly tired due to lack of sleep last night. Life was made easier by my superb crew woman Siobhan Clifford from Blue Bubble Marketing.

The day started slowly as I was delighted to give two talks to students in the primary school in Cordona. And no sooner had I started running when we were invited into the Slisbh Sneacht Centre for a much needed coffee. Ed Mc Groarty a local runner made the afternoon slog a lot more bearable running with me for about an hour and a half., thanks Ed, this was just what I needed.

Long time followers to the blog will know how unreliable my Spot device has been. I actually got an email from one of my followers asking if I enjoyed my rest day today!

I have emailed Spot and so far have been ignored, what can I say. It is particularly annoying at this stage of the world run because there are many runners that want to run with me for parts of the lap of Ireland. But they don’t know where I am when this ‘ tracking device ‘ does not update.

I have posted my schedule on the route page. I am about 16km ahead of the schedule.

Press HERE for my route for the next few days. I hope you can join me.

Many thanks to Liam our host last night in Malin and his work colleague  Mark for putting us up tonight. Both are teachers in Cardona primary school. It was also great meeting Irish international ultrarunning athlete John Collins who has also crewed many times for Irish athletes in world championships.

Yesterday I reached Malin Head and started my run towards Mizen Head (600km) as part of the lap of Ireland, the so called M2M is the Irish equivalent of the UK’s Lands End to John O’ Goats.

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Thanks yet again to Richard Donovan for my support car!

Saturday, September 20th, 2014

Thanks yet again to the North Pole Marathon and my great friend Richard Donovan for ongoing support of the run. Richard has very generously sponsored the hire of the support car which is driven by Siobhan and our expenses for the Irish lap. :)

Richard’s North Pole Marathon website HERE  is known as the ‘world’s coolest marathon’. He also organises the Antarctic Ice Marathon & 100k www.icemarathon.com at the other end of the planet, which was Lonely Planet’s top marathon pick for adventure travel in 2014. Richard’s Volcano Marathon HERE in the Atacama Desert is one of the highest marathons in the world and was recently listed by British Airways as the second most scenic marathon in the world, one place behind the North Pole Marathon!

Richard it was great seeing you at the Dublin port last Saturday. I look forward to running into and out of Galway with you in about nine days and a rest day, my first since London three weeks ago.

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The World Runners Association

Thursday, September 18th, 2014
A new international governing body for the sport of world running, The World Runners Association, is due to be established next month. It will be the authority that decides on the authenticity of world runs and ratifies world records. As I understand it, when I finish my world run I’ll be the provisional holder of the world record for the Longest Circumnavigation run of the Earth on Foot, and this will be officially ratified by the WRA in the weeks after I finish. More info as it comes to hand.
Things still going well and very lucky with the weather, no rain! Siobhan doing a massive job in the support car :)
Siobhan is Chief Executive of Blue Bubble Marketing.
Please see www.theworldjog.com/blog
48,598km for 1,120 road days.  =  1,151.74 marathons.

If you can help with a place to stay on our route as posted a few posts ago please email: siobhanclifford42@gmail.com

Siobhan is doing a great job updating the run on Facebook, so please befriend Siobhan Clifford

Everybody welcome to run anytime.

Thanks to our Belfast host Liam McGarry for accommodating us for two nights. Also great to meet up with my former Irish 24 hour team mate Marty Rea.
Had a great chat with Marty who runs a lot of marathons as a pacer. He just happened to mention that when we ran the world 24 hour championships in Taiwan how hard it was to run slower for the longer distance as he is a very fast marathon runner. Casually he mentioned he ‘ ran the first 100 miles chatting with Eoin Keith and said they need needed to start concentrating on the race!  ’
Siobhan gave him a funny look as though he was talking about a Sunday morning stroll!! Liam chipped in with ” That must have been some chat! “
Also thanks to Carrickdale hosts Kinga, Lloyd, Rose, Maeve for another two nights.
Running into Lisburn I got talking to a man who asked me what I was doing.
” I am from Dublin and I am running around the world! “
” When did you start? ” asked the man.
” October 2010 ” said I.
” Has it taken you that long to run from Dublin!! ” said he.
And same to Fergus and Barbara Owens we had a wonderful time staying with my great friend and his wife.

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Some more media – Great support continues

Monday, September 15th, 2014

hi Everyone. Had a wonderful 50km day, Sunday including the 10km I didnt finish yesterday due to so much stopping and perhaps a bit drained from the emotional wonderful reception I received in Dublin Port. I also did not sleep in Holyhead port on Friday tue to the excitement! Thanks to everyone for coming out to greet me.
Today I finished as scheduled in Dunleer and enjoyed running with members of the local clubs. Thanks to my hosts Fergus Owens a great supporter to the blog and his wife Barbara. We also commuted back tonight. We as in my great crew person Siobhan Clifford who has thrown her public relations company Blue Bubble Marketing behind the Ireland lap. At this weary stage Siobhan is a God sent to me! Thanks also to Fergus for running 50km, now an ultra runner! And to Siobhan’s husband Billy for running about 40km. Also special thanks to Eugene and David for running with me. My wonderful homecoming reception actually made ITV news over in the UK!! To view press this link below

PRESS HERE

Another story

AND HERE

 

Photos press

PHOTOS HERE

 

Total run 48,466km
Many thanks to Stena Lines for a complimentary ferry passage from Holyhead to Dublin and to Stenas very helpful staff for understanding I needed to run through the terminal which I did under escort!
Also special thanks to my great friend and main sponsor Richard Donovan for kindly sponsoring the hire of our support vehicle, petrol and our other expenses. I will do a proper acknowledgement for this amazing generosity soon.

See you on the road on Monday from Dunleer to Carrickdale Starting around 9am from the welcome to Dunleer  sign south side.

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Video Of My Arrival In Dublin

Saturday, September 13th, 2014

Hi everyone!

I am now back in Ireland and what a reception I received. I have linked a couple of videos below. The first one was my arrival and the second my speech.

After this very emotional reunion with my family,friends and supporters too many wonderful people to mention, I would be afraid of leaving someone out!

I did some interviews and a photo shoot. Then we went for a delicious brunch. Eventually the Ireland lap began, Many stops for much reminiscing around the areas where I grew up in Dublin. The lap of Ireland began I ran with a group of about eight runners and supporters.

Press HERE to view my emotional arrival video in Dublin

And press HERE to view my thank you speech!

Thanks to runners Kevin Scanlon, Ash, Serena, Gary, Mark, Aoife, Billy and a tough Bulgarian marathoner!

A most memorable day, I will have to post the photos at a later stage. We stopped at John Kavanagh’s  Pub better know as an old hangout for one of my earliest ultra running influences, The much traveled Kavanagh Striders.

I tell you Eugene Kavanagh could talk for Ireland!!

From there to Finglas village and out the north road N2/135 towards Ashbourne.

Due to so many stops and a late day we didn’t make it to Ashbourne. We finished at The White House in Fingal.

Tonight Siobhan, Billy her husband and myself are receiving wonderful hospitality from one of my greatest supporters to the run Fergus Owens and his wife Barbara

Thank you all so much :)

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Run For Home

Saturday, September 13th, 2014

Lindisfarne’s ” Run For Home ” has always been my anthem during my competitive career and for this world run also.

The song was played at the start of all three of my world treadmill record attempts and also timed to start playing with 4 and a half minutes from the end of those runs just as I was pumping very hard for as much distance as possible. I remember very well the crowded`arenas with so many friends and family singing the song with great gusto just before I finished.

Ah yes they were great days and tomorrow too :)

The lyrics always  seemed so perfect for even then I knew that one day I would set out to run the world, eventually returning home, running for home.

I am reliably informed it will be played at Dublin Port tomorrow. Making this post brought a lot of tears to my eyes tonight and I am sure many more in the morning!

Press HERE to hear Run For Home, My anthem.

Please read FOUR new posts below!

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Ireland Route

Saturday, September 13th, 2014
Day Date Day Route Brief Description Shortest Distance Overall Distance
1 13/09/2014 Sat Dublin Port to Dublin marathon start line in Fitzwilliam place to Ardee St, to Grey St.to Meath St. to Thomas St..to Church St. to Gravediggers Pub, Glasnevin To Finglas Village to Ashbourne. 35 35
2 14/09/2014 Sun Ashbourne to Dunleer 40 75
3 15/09/2014 Mon Dunleer To CarrickDale 32 107
4 16/09/2014 Tue CarrickDale to Banbridge 30 137
5 17/09/2014 Wed Banbridge To Belfast 38 175
6 18/09/2014 Thu Belfast to Randlestown 32 207
7 19/09/2014 Fri Rest 0 0
8 20/09/2014 Sat Randlestown to Dungiven 48 255
9 21/09/2014 Sun Dungiven to Derry 29 284
10 22/09/2014 Mon Derry to Malin 52 336
11 23/09/2014 Tue Malin to Buncrana/RathMullen Ferry 41 377
12 24/09/2014 Wed RathMullen to Stranorlor 54 431
13 25/09/2014 Thu Stranorlor to Ballintra 38 469
14 26/09/2014 Fri Ballintra to Sligo 50 519
15 27/09/2014 Sat Sligo to Tubber curry 34 553
16 28/09/2014 Sun Tubbercurry to Dunmore 53 606
17 29/09/2014 Mon Dunmore to Galway 46 652
18 30/09/2014 Tue Rest 0 0
19 01/10/2014 Wed Galway to Craughwell 35 687
20 02/10/2014 Thu Craughwell to Crusheen 38 725
21 03/10/2014 Fri Gort via Ennis to Sixmilebridge 50 775
22 04/10/2014 Sat Sixmilebridge to Charalvillie via Limerick 52 827
23 05/10/2014 Sun Charleville to Bally Desmond via newmarket 48 875
24 06/10/2014 Mon Ballydesmond toTralee 35 910
25 07/10/2014 Tue Tralee to Killarney (49 via Kilorgan TFB) 31 941
26 08/10/2014 Wed Killarney to Kenmare 42 983
27 09/10/2014 Thu Kenmare to Bantry 45 1028
28 10/10/2014 Fri Bantry to Mizen Head 43 1071
29 11/10/2014 Sat Mizen Head to Ballydehob 34 1105
30 12/10/2014 Sun Ballydehob to Clonakilty 44 1149
31 13/10/2014 Mon Clonakility to Cork 46 1195
32 14/10/2014 Tue Rest 0 0
33 15/10/2014 Wed Cork to Castlemaytr 31 1226
34 16/10/2014 Thu CastleMyrtr to Dungarvan 42 1268
35 17/10/2014 Fri Dungarvan To Waterford 44 1312
36 18/10/2014 Sat Waterford To KilKenny 44 1356
37 19/10/2014 Sun Rest 0 0
38 20/10/2014 Mon Kilkenny to New Ross 39 1395
39 21/10/2014 Tue New Ross to Wexford 35 1430
40 22/10/2014 Wed Wexford to Goery 42 1472
41 23/10/2014 Thu Gorey to RathDrum via Arklow 45 1517
42 24/10/2014 Fri Wicklow to Bray 28 1545
43 25/10/2014 Sat Bray via DunLaoghaire/blackrockto DCM Start 21.8 1566.8
44 26/10/2014 Sun Rest 0 0
45 27/10/2014 Mon Dublin City Marathon 42.2 1609

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since Tony began his World Run on 25th October 2010

Please sponsor a world walk hotel night or a meal etc!You do not need a Paypal account, just a bank card! Press Paypal link below. Thank You :)

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About Tony

I have always considered myself to be an average runner. In school, I was even bullied for I was a sports wimp. Through hard work, dedication, perseverance, self-belief and a strong mind I succeeded in not only running around the world but breaking four ultra running world records during my competitive career. Having previously cycled around the world I didn't start running until I was almost 30. Then I had a dream of running around the world. For many reasons, I waited for over 20 years. One reason was to establish my pedigree as an endurance athlete. I started and finished my world run as the current World Record-Holder for 48 Hours Indoor Track 426 kilometres (265 miles), a record I have held since 2007. I also broke and still hold the World Record for 48 hours on a Treadmill 405 kilometres (251 miles) in 2008. When I retired from competition, more pleasing than any of my world, European or Irish records I had the respect of my fellow athletes from all over the world - in my opinion, sports greatest reward - an achievement I am most proud of. Then I finally put myself out to pasture, to live my ultimate dream to run around the world! This blog was written on the road while I struggled to find places to sleep and to recover from running an average of 43.3 kilometres or 27 miles per day for 1,165 road days. There were many nights I typed this blog on a smart phone, so fatigued my eyes closed. Many journalists and endurance athletes have referred to my world run as the most difficult endurance challenge ever attempted. During my expedition I rarely had any support vehicles, running mostly with a backpack. In the more desolate areas I pushed my gear, food and water in a cart which I called Nirvana, then I sent her on ahead to run with my backpack once again over altitudes of almost 5,000 metres in the Andes. I stayed in remote villages where many people had never seen a white person before. I literally met the most wonderful people of this world in their own backyard and share many of those amazing experiences in this blog. My run around the world took 4 years. There were no short cuts, I ran every single metre on the road while seeking out the most comprehensive route across 41 countries, 5 continents, I used 50 pair of running shoes and my final footstep of the run was exactly 50,000 kilometres, (almost 31,000 miles) I eventually finished this tongue in cheek named world jog where I started, at the finish line of my city marathon. I started my global run with the Dublin Marathon on October 25th 2010 and finished with the Dublin Marathon on October 27th 2014 at 3 05pm! Thank you for your support, I hope you can share my unique way of seeing the world, the ultimate endurance challenge! Read more...

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