Over 20,000 people ran, walked, and limped 42km through the streets of Dublin this morning for the 2024 Dublin Marathon.
While there were undoubtedly plenty of Dubliners running the familiar streets, none were more famous than Castleknock's Colin Farrell who ran the race in aid of Debra Ireland.
In raising funds for Debra Ireland, Farrell was attempting to honour his friend Emma Fogarty - the longest-surviving person in Ireland with a rare genetic skin condition called Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB).
Here we go! What a send off. Colin Farrell kicks off the @irishlife @dublinmarathon for @emmafogarty and everyone impacted by epidermolysis bullosa (EB). C'MON EMMA!🧡🦋#dublincitymarathon #EmmasRunto40 #EmmaFogarty #Debra #ColinFarrell
Donate here ➡️ https://t.co/A4NukvWBi4 pic.twitter.com/7VCn6n4uva— Debra - The Butterfly Skin Charity (@debraireland) October 27, 2024
SEE ALSO: 'The Shock Of The Last 10 Years': Cyril Farrell Explains Cappataggle's Historic Achievement
SEE ALSO: Richie Hogan Reveals Awkward Text From Bernard Brogan On Eve Of 2022 All-Ireland Final
Colin Farrell records respectable marathon time in extraordinary circumstances
Not only did Farrell complete the gruelling 42km through Dublin, but the world-famous actor pushed Emma Fogarty's wheelchair for the final 4km of the race, each km representing a decade that Fogarty has lived with the condition.
In the early afternoon on a blustery Sunday in Dublin, Farrell crossed the line with a respectable time of four hours, six minutes and forty-five seconds.
While on any ordinary day that would be quite the achievement, the fact that Farrell and Fogarty finished out the race together, makes the time a pile more impressive than it looks on paper.
Well done Colin Farrell 🙌🙌🙌
The Hollywood star has crossed the finish line of the @dublinmarathon with his friend Emma Fogarty.
What a team! pic.twitter.com/18R6fISaYA— FM104 (@FM104) October 27, 2024
Speaking about the run on RTÉ's Ray Darcy Show on Wednesday, Farrell expressed his frustration at the lack of care for those living with EB.
I love Emma, I love her to bits. I couldn’t be any more proud of her, but I don’t think I could be any more frustrated knowing that Emma and all those in our country who suffer with EB aren’t getting the care they could.
It’s hard to see the need and the suffering up close and personal through my relationship with my pal Emma and know that there’s a broader amount of suffering going on with a further 300 people living with EB in Ireland.
If you have to leave a few potholes uncovered or not build a bridge, so be it… more needs to be done.
While so far the pair have raised over 698 thousand euros for Debra Ireland, speaking during the marathon as she was waiting to be united with Colin Farrell, Emma Fogarty revealed that the pair were pushing for €1 Million.
I just wanted to say a massive thank you to everyone. I'm here waiting for Colin to meet me at the last 4km. He’s moving fast and doing really well.
I’m so excited and extremely emotional. As many of you know, the reason I’ve done this is because I’ve hit the big 4-0 this year, and I wanted to mark it in a huge way. But, it’s you - the public - that’s made it even bigger and more special than ever.
Thank you all for your amazing support and donations – in every way. We’re hoping to reach €1 million. Please go to Debra.ie to donate.
Fortunately, when Colin Farrell and Emma Fogarty joined up for the final few kilometres of the 2024 Dublin Marathon the crowds were there in massive numbers to cheer the duo home.
Great support for Colin Farrell and Emma Fogarty as they near the finish line #DublinCityMarathon #DublinMarathon2024 pic.twitter.com/09a6V7zPYu
— Fergal O'Brien (@FergalOBrien_) October 27, 2024
While Farrell's time is a few minutes short of the 3:53 he completed in his first-ever marathon in Brisbane, I think most people would agree that today's achievement is something more special.
27 October 2024; Actor Colin Farrel with Emma Fogarty after finishing the 2024 Irish Life Dublin Marathon. This marks the 43rd edition of the race with thousands of participants from international athletes, club runners, wheelchair-assisted participants, charity runners, and first-time marathon participants taking on the 26.2-mile challenge. This year’s race started on Leeson Street and finished at the Pepper Canister Church on Mount Street Upper. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
SEE ALSO: GAA Confirm Three Controversial Proposed Rules Have Been Scrapped
