Loving dad Ger runs for Lilly

Each week we profile one of the runners taking part in the ‘Irish Examiner’ Cork City Marathon this June

Paramedic Ger O’Dea crosses every finish line with his daughter as his motivation. Lilly, who has global developmental delay, is unable to walk. Ger started running for her.

“We called it ‘Walk with my Daddy’,” Ger says. “Every time I’m running, I have Lilly on my mind, so it’s like she’s there with me. A few years ago when I ran a leg of the Cork City Marathon relay, Lilly actually finished the last number of meters with me in her Upsee Harness.”

He is keen to beat his previous best time of five hours at this year’s Cork City Marathon. “I absolutely want to beat that time in my home marathon.”

Ger reluctantly joined a running club when he first started.

“I really didn’t want to,” he says. “I went to the ‘Wibblies’ running club expecting to hate it. Three years later I’m still there — and I’m on the committee!

“It’s great to have a team with you, encouraging you. We’re all about the four Fs: free, fun, friendship and fitness.

"After being reluctant to join a running club I even ended up joining the ambulance running club too."

His work partner, Peter Delea, who appears with Ger on TV3’s Paramedics, is taking part in the marathon as well, and their friendly rivalry will keep Ger focused on the finish line.

Ger says running has been the best thing he has ever done for his physical and mental health. “Running really clears your head after work. It’s a physical job too, we do lots of lifting, but running keeps you loose and fit.

“I run for an hour before work. It’s great because any runner will tell you about the high they feel after a run, so I start my day buzzing.”