Cork firefighter forced to abandon world record bid

A Cork firefighter’s dream to break the Guinness World Record for running the length of Ireland came to an abrupt end yesterday when a knee injury forced the long-distance runner to abandon his mission.

Alex O’Shea, a member of Cork City Fire Brigade’s Blue Watch, began his journey from Malin Head, Co Donegal, on Sunday morning and had hoped to make it to Mizen Head, Co Cork, by Wednesday night.

To achieve the feat, he needed to run the equivalent of four marathons, more than 160km, each day.