Jack McGowan, 80, ran 25 Dublin Marathons in a row - and he was back for more this year

Jack McGowan used to train at night for fear of being thought mad, writes Feidhlim Kelly.

At 80 years of age Jack McGowan was the final finisher of the record field of 19,500 in the SSE Airtricity Dublin marathon – walking it in 11:38:41.

The Sligo native, a member of Calry AC, was one of the trailblazers of Irish race walking in the 60s and represented Ireland once on international duty.