Firefighter to feel heat in bid for marathon record

A fireman is set to feel the heat as he sets out to break a world record for running a marathon in full firefighting gear.

Alex O’Shea, 39, a member of Cork City Fire Brigade’s Blue Watch, will tackle his first marathon in Cork in June wearing heavy, steel-toed, reinforced firefighting boots designed to withstand temperatures of up to 300C; heavy, fire-retardant pants; and a firefighting jacket; as well as his 3lb firefighter’s helmet and visor, for the entire 26.2-mile course.

He will be relying on two colleagues, Liam Roberts and Owen O’Connell, running alongside him, for a constant supply of water to prevent potentially deadly overheating.

“Because of all the gear I’ll be wearing, all my body heat will be trapped inside the jacket and pants, so water will be vital,” Alex said.

The record for running a marathon in full firefighting gear, of four hours, 45 minutes and 16 seconds, was set at the city’s 2010 marathon by Red Watch colleague Niall Crowley.

But Alex said he is out to beat that: “I’m confident I can beat it on the day, if I don’t get injured. But the heat could be worse.”

Alex, a father of four from Ballineen, Co Cork, is following a strict training regime to be in peak physical condition for the record breaking attempt on June 2.

He is clocking up 50 miles a week — doing 16-mile runs in normal running gear to improve his fitness and stamina, and doing up to 7-mile runs on a treadmill wearing the full firefighting gear.

Getting used to the weight of the gear over such a long-distance will be crucial, he said.

He is being encouraged by wife Audrey and their children, Noah, 6; Leon, 4; Dylan, 2; and Louisa, who is about to turn one, in the record-breaking attempt, which he hopes will raise funds for the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, and for the Ballineen and Enniskeane District Association playground fund.

Meanwhile, marathon organisers have opened registration and have encouraged people to get fit, get active, and get involved.

You can sign up the full or half marathon, the team relay, a youth relay, or the highly competitive inter-services championships, featuring gardaí, members of the Naval Service, the fire and ambulance services, and the Irish Coast Guard.

Race director Jim O’Donovan said the event is about encouraging people of all levels and abilities — from first timers to professional athletes — to get involved.

Now in its eighth year, the Cork City Marathon, which has one of the fastest courses in Ireland, is an internationally recognised marathon, with certification from the International Association of Athletics Federations.

More than 7,000 people took part in last year’s event.

* Entry forms and full details are available online at www.corkcitymarathon.ie.