The 1,000th Marathon has been run in under 1,000 days and the plan going forward
Sorry it has taken me almost a week to get this posting up! For this run I have had to dig very deep into my endurance base and mind games which as I have said on many many occasions has made a very ordinary runner a two time world 48 hour record-holder in addition to many Irish records. Mind strength, tenacity and a lot of dumb stupidity 
being my only really talents in life I have somehow found an outlet to channel this and succeed with what in other walks of life may seem so meaningless. Anyway thank you to all those countless people who have helped on this world run. I would like to single out Michael Gillan who was my brilliant crew man on the Australian mainland leg of the run from near Melbourne to Darwin, I think about 3,800km of patience and kindness by a true gentleman of the sport. Michael gave up 9 and a half weeks to help me. He has since told me of a very serious illness he had at the time but still dedicated himself to my Australian success. After helping me he crewed for two New Zealand ‘ raw vegan ‘ runners on their year long run around Oz as mentioned in my blog last May. Unfortunately Michaels health suffered at that time and he had to leave the run for medical attention. Just last week he sent me a congrats message and though battling his own personal battle and by no means out of the woods he was off to the Coburg 24 hour race to he’ll out, such is the measure of the man. The 1,000th marathon was reached in 962.8 road days on April 5th when fittingly I ran a marathon. I hear by dedicate my 1,000Marathon in under 1,000 road days to Michael Gillan.. Thank you Michael for your inspiration, encouragement and much needed patience through Australia, we had a blast! I will be forever grateful. Goof luck and a healthy recovery Michael By the way I tried to run the 1,000 Marathon on April 1st but ran out of time! Some fool! Okay here is the plan literally going forward! I am announcing for the very first time that I want to hit the 50,000 kilometre on the finish line of the Dublin marathon on October 27th with my very last step across the finish line Today April 11th 54km were run for s grand total of 42,464km. It is 2,450 to Istanbul about 3,100 across Europe to Calais and my recently revised UK route from Dover to Stranraer, Scotland dropped Wales from the run. However I am now hoping to include Wales, a special country for me as I ran many half marathons races there as a much younger runner. My UK route should be about 1,000km starting there about the beginning of September. From Stranraer I plan to take the ferry to Larne. N.Ireland perhaps first week in October. Estimated north/south Ireland route about 900 km, so it may be tight for the 50,000kilometers. Places definitely penciled in are Belfast, Galway, Kilkenny and Sally Gap. There are one or two places I may include. So all this means that on the penultimate road day I will finish on the marathon start line in Dublin’s Dawson St, I think it is.. Can’t remember for sure, have run a lot of marathons since I was last there! When I finish that day I will have to have my run total at 49,957.8km so as to finish the run with the dream 50,000 kilometers on the nose!
I am also thinking of making one final big push for Istanbul to arrive by end of May. This is about 50km per day for 50 days. This would leave me the must sought after 1,000km a month for five months which at that stage of the run will seem like an enjoyable canter, I hope.
Many thanks to Kevin Scanlon for helping me try to arrange the finish. Also thanks to my Irish running club MSB for agreeing to facilitate and help out. Also for Dublin marathon race director Jim Augney for agreeing to allow what I promise will be a spectacular finale to the run. Will keep this quiet for now but am sure it will leak out!
I stole this idea from Stephen Neuman, a friend of mine who walked around he world. Upon reading
the ending of his book titled World Walk I said..
” Wow! What A bloody brilliant idea!
Anyway, thanks for reading. Its nearly 2am.. Gotta sleep and run
April 11th, 2014 at 9:02 pm
Good Man Tony, 1000 marathons in under 1000 days – this consistent performance is nothing short of phenomenal. And considering all the varied and difficult countries you have traversed it confirms that the worldjog is absolutely the most daring expedition of the millennium. The very mention of places like Sally Gap, Galway, Belfast etc. is so refreshing to hear after so many new and strange sounding places in the past three and half years. Continuing congrats.
April 11th, 2014 at 9:16 pm
great news tony. the finish line is certainly in sight. hopefully we can help out when you get home. it has been a marvellous journey and i am sure there are some great days to come. kevin
April 11th, 2014 at 9:48 pm
Thanks lads.. I just added a bit more since you read this post!
Really enjoyed a 54km today
Sleeping in a garage office tonight!
April 12th, 2014 at 12:17 am
Hey Tony—good stuff—-finishing with 50K—unbelievable——I have been wondering what you were cooking up in your head while cruising down the dusty roads regarding your entry into Ireland—this sounds great—–Hope to see you at the finish
Let me know if there are any more logistics you might need for Iran etc—probably not as things are going to get real familiar real soon as you get closer to Turkey/Europe—-
OK old man–good running–Greg
April 12th, 2014 at 8:16 am
Hi all. Am making the side trip to Tehran today. Taking bus from Saveh and will return here asap. Saturday and Sunday are work days here, the weekend being Thursday and Friday. Could be a bit tricky if I waited another couple of days to extend my visa. Also thanks to Mr. Alireza Feizollahi the Irish Consulate to Tehran for preparing a letter of recommendation in Farsi and for.taking delivery of my next pair of running shoes.
April 12th, 2014 at 12:33 pm
Hi Tony
Thank you for the write up I really appreciate the time spent on the road with you it was a special time out there in the desert
Will keep my promise to get to Dublin for the finish of the run as you kept yours to finish when you left Darwin
Michael
April 12th, 2014 at 7:58 pm
Well Tony, so sorry to hear Michael has been unwell and hope he has a speedy recovery. He was fantastic help to you in Australia. Sound like you have great plans for a big finish with 50,000 kms. Take care Ann
April 12th, 2014 at 8:47 pm
Keep up the good work Tony. It will be worth it when you get to Istanbul.
Good luck
Ed
April 13th, 2014 at 8:43 pm
tony,your website is closing in on 100,000 hits.
hope all is well in iran.is it hot there?
May 2nd, 2014 at 9:00 am
Really an amazing read summarises up do many of your achievements and what a machine of a man you are!!