Clondalkin fireman’s ‘blind’ run in marathon for Our Lady’s
By Brendan Grehan
CLONDALKIN fireman at Tallaght station Padraig (aka Podge) Thompson will be running this year’s Dublin City Marathon blindfolded.
Last year, he ran the 26.2 miles carrying a child mannequin weighing 40kg and proposed to his partner halfway. This year Podge will attempt to complete the 26.2 miles blindfolded in a bid to raise awareness of the darkness faced by young people today.
In order to make his way around the course, Podge from Lealand, Bawnogue, will be attached via a tether to good friend and fellow fireman Geoff Tracey.
Podge will be completely relying on Geoff to guide him through the 26.2 mile route. Podge and Geoff are running in aid of Crumlin Children’s Hospital.
It will be Podge’s seventh marathon. He told The Echo: “It’s my second mad-cap idea marathon. Last year I ran with a 40kg child mannequin and I proposed to my partner.”
As they work different watches, Podge and Geoff have not really been able to train together but they are hopeful everything will work out on the day.
Podge said: “We work on completely different watches. We have run about eight miles together. I have done most of my training in the gym, but I’m sure we will make it through.”
He added: “Unfortunately as frontline emergency service members my colleagues and I experience first hand devastating situations involving young children.
This year I have chosen to take on this difficult challenge, not only to raise awareness about all those little superheroes out there that sometimes need help when no one else can see them looking for help, but also in a bid to raise much-needed funds for Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital in Crumlin.
As a father, both my four-year-old son and my 13-year-old stepson have paid visits to the hospital, but it is my work as a fireman that made me realise just how important this hospital is to the safety, health and lives of our children.
It’s been a tough few months training but I’m blessed that my fiancée, sons, family and friends are huge supporters and I hope, together with Geoff, that we do these vulnerable young superheroes proud!”
If you’d like to sponsor Podge in his marathon bid, donations to Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital can be made at http://www.cmrf.org/user_main/fundraiser/35194
