‘Impossible is Nothing’ says Tiernan at launch of adidas Dublin Marathon 2007

‘Impossible is Nothing’ says Tiernan at launch of adidas Dublin Marathon 2007

-Comedian Tommy Tiernan signs up for ‘adidas Impossible Is Nothing Team’


12 March, 2007- Comedian Tommy Tiernan today became the first person to sign up for this year’s ‘adidas Impossible Is Nothing Team’; a team of marathon first timers preparing to take part in the adidas Dublin Marathon on Bank Holiday Monday, 29 October, 2007. At the launch, Tiernan invited other first timers from around the country to apply for a place on the team.

Tiernan has sent out a plea to fellow Marathon first timers from all over the country to join him on this year’s “adidas Impossible Is Nothing Team”, under the careful training of leading Irish Marathon runner and coach Gary Crossan. Gary has been Ireland’s leading finisher in six adidas Dublin Marathons.

Speaking at the launch Tiernan said, "I love the idea of being a superbly fit, lithe, gliding athlete. I can see myself at the Olympics, an Irish ‘Yifter the Shifter’, stretching away from the rest of the field and crossing the finishing line in first place but not stopping there, running on forever- running around the world, across the Arctic, up Africa, never hesitating, over America and finally back to Dublin.’’

Tiernan further added, ‘’In real life, I'm training on the wild bog roads of east Connemara, the wind hurts my ears and at the moment three miles seems to be my limit. I run with my Bearnaise mountain dog Mulligan, a good pacemaker but I'm not sure if he'd be up for the full distance. "I have no idea how I'm going to make it but the daydreams are strong and sure that's half the battle, isn't it?’’

‘’Another motivation for me to run Dublin this year as part of the ‘adidas Impossible Is Nothing Team’ is to raise money for CD's Helping Hands, a charity that offers practical support to families in the west of Ireland with children under going treatment for cancer related illnesses. Basically the charity helps to keep the rest of the house going while mammy and daddy are travelling up and down to Dublin; looking after simple but vital things like grocery shopping, meal preparation, maintenance of family routine and anything else that might be required.’’

“adidas Impossible Is Nothing Team” members will receive detailed training programmes and advice from Crossan, as well as nutritional advice, instruction on core training, injury prevention and recovery, and the latest in technical running gear from Dublin Marathon sponsor adidas.

“Last years team were fantastic” said team trainer Crossan. “None of the team believed they would be able to do Dublin at the start of training last year – now they are addicted to running, and are still meeting up at races around the country.”

“They gave each other great support by email and over the phone during the low times in training. But the important thing for anyone out there who is thinking of taking part in the adidas Dublin Marathon for the first time is that there is plenty of help and support available to help you along the road.”

Running and jogging have become an extremely popular form of exercise in Ireland over the past number of years, with participation in road races rising each year. Marathon organisers are encouraging people to start thinking about running Dublin now by setting realistic goals to work towards.

“The number of men and women who are road running is huge – the adidas Race Series alone has seen numbers go from 200 to 3,000 in just four years.” said Race Director Jim Aughney.

“With the right training and preparation anyone can complete the adidas Dublin Marathon and being part of the ‘adidas Impossible Is Nothing Team’ gives people who are running for the first time the support they need. But for those who want to do it on their own, there are plenty of running groups around the country, or we have comprehensive training programmes and advice on our website www.adidasdublinmarathon.ie”

Crossan agreed that the adidas Dublin Marathon is an achievable goal. “For a first time runner, a five or six month training programme is an ideal preparation time’ said Crossan. ‘If you are running regularly already, even if it’s only on a treadmill in the gym, you have a good start to your training. Plenty of people walk the marathon also, so the adidas Dublin Marathon should not be seen as an impossible task.”

Crossan will also run Dublin this year, leading his team of first timers. “Dublin is a great experience, and it’s been getting better every year. Nothing beats that feeling of exhilaration when you finally cross the finish line - that’s something I’m sure Tommy can relate to when he finishes a great show and now he will experience that elation as a runner.”

The adidas Dublin Marathon takes place on Bank Holiday Monday, 29th October.

For further information on how to apply for the adidas Impossible Is Nothing Team, check out www.adidasdublinmarathon.ie.