Graham ‘an absolute legend’ completing 8 marathons in 8 days
Graham with family and friends at the finish line last Friday

Graham ‘an absolute legend’ completing 8 marathons in 8 days

A LARGE crowd cheered on youth worker Graham Griffiths as he completed eight marathons in eight days.

Griffiths, who put his body on the line to raise funds for the juvenile running section of Cherry Orchard Running Club, was joined by many youngsters for the last 1km of his epic quest on Friday.

He arrived at Cherry Orchard Park at approximately 5pm, to be welcomed by club members and residents amid a party atmosphere.

Cherry Orchard Running Club praised “an absolute legend” and an “inspiration in aid of” the kids summer programme.

Graham, a youth worker with FamiliBase and a member of the running club, wanted to do something to help fund the juvenile summer programme.

An online iDonate page has raised close to €5,000 by Monday morning.

Graham said the club held their first summer running programme last year, and taking the kids out on trips was all about providing the youngsters with “a little reward for their hard work.”

“It is not easy getting up and out in the cold, especially for young kids.”

Kenneth O’Driscoll, established the club in 2013 and it has made a positive impact on youngsters in the community, who see them out running on local roads every week.

Graham endured some wear and tear during his marathon week, but ice, hot water and a couple of painkillers, helped him see out the challenge.

His daily route started from Cherry Orchard, then towards Liffey Valley, Leixlip, Adamstown, Tallaght, Templeogue, Terenure, Harold’s Cross, up the canal, and back to Cherry Orchard.

The juvenile section and the adult section of the club meet up on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, plus a Saturday morning run for the adults.

Recently the club have encouraged youngsters to get involved in the 2km Junior Parkrun, which is a separate activity to the club. The Junior Parkrun takes place at Cherry Orchard Park, on Sundays at 9.30am.

“That is for everybody,” said Graham.

“The kids get little bibs, their run is timed, it’s great fun. Adults can run it with their kids.”

Kids can be registered for the Junior Parkrun HERE.

Donations to Graham’s marathon challenge can be made at shorturl.at/nrD06

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