This year, I’m running the Irish Life Dublin Marathon for a reason that means a lot to me, to raise €3,000 for Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY). The funny thing is, if you’d told me a couple of years ago that I’d be running a marathon, I probably wouldn’t have believed you. I only started running in February 2025, when Shannon & James started a run club at Atomic Fitness. Shannon encouraged me to give running a proper go, and what started with very short runs has somehow led me here, preparing to run 26.2 miles around Dublin. And there’s one more reason this marathon is particularly special, I’ll be running it on my 50th birthday. Getting to the start line hasn’t been completely straightforward. I’ve had a few setbacks along the way, including a knee niggle and, more recently, a fall from my horse which left me with a painful injury and several weeks away from my training plan. There have definitely been moments when I’ve wondered whether I’d make it. But I’m back running, taking it one week and one run at a time, and determined to get to that start line. I chose to raise money for CRY because of the vital work they do supporting families affected by sudden cardiac death, while also working to prevent future tragedies through screening, research and education. So this marathon is about more than a birthday milestone or proving to myself that I can run 26.2 miles. I’m hoping to use the challenge to raise as much awareness and money for CRY as I can. If you’d like to support me, I’d be incredibly grateful. Whether you can make a donation, share my fundraising page or simply follow along and cheer me on, it all helps. Thank you to everyone who has already supported me and to everyone who gets me over those final miles in October! Alison