THREE years ago local man Anthony Flannery was, in his own words, overweight, unfit and unhealthy.
However, after joining Clonliffe Harriers Athletic Club in Santry, he turned the health aspect of his life completely around and over the bank holiday weekend, ran the Dublin Marathon in an astonishing time of 2:52.
A newcomer to athletics, he finished in the top 150 out of 14,600 runners.
The Artane man’s progress has been phenomenal as his times in the 2012 and 2013 Dublin Marathons were 3:46 and 2:58 respectively. He only went for his first ever run three years ago in St Anne’s Park.
His exploits in this year’s marathon secured a national senior silver championship medal for Clonliffe Harriers, alongside club members and representatives for Ireland, Sergiu Ciobanu and Gary O’Hanlon.
Anthony’s talents are not confined to running, as he is also a classical musician.
“For the most part, sport for me revolved around the world of GAA,
? he told Northside People.
“I played in the Artane Boys’ Band and am now a professional trombone player.
“I was regularly playing gigs late at night and after years this was taking its toll. I was overweight, unfit and living an unhealthy lifestyle. I needed to do something.
“Running a marathon has always been a burning desire. In 2012, I reached my limit of soaps on the television and decided to go for short runs instead and have not looked back.
?
Anthony said it really helps to have an amenity like St Anne’s Park on his doorstep.
“I needed more direction and guidance with my running so I joined Clonliffe Harriers,
? he stated.
“It was a real eye-opener training with guys who had run several marathons and the advice and encouragement I received was sensational.
“The Dublin City Marathon is the ultimate marathon for me. There is something so special about it and of course it’s my home town.
?
Anthony said that in 2012, he would never have envisaged winning a national silver medal alongside world-class runners like Gary O’Hanlon and Sergiu Ciobanu.
“Running is such a humbling sport that allows amateurs like me to run alongside these runners,
? he added.
Anthony has run seven marathons in total and has a personal best of two hours and 50 minutes. Next year he plans to run the national 50km championship race, and the Chicago marathon.