ATHLETICS followers are running out of superlatives to describe the extraordinary feats of marathon man Dave Brady.
Over the June bank holiday weekend, the 66-year-old Raheny Shamrock AC star ran three marathons in three days. However, the Sunday one (Cork City Marathon), happened to be his 650th, and that’s not a misprint!
Dave, who took his place among 7,500 participants in Cork, completed his milestone run in 4:53:13.
“Anything under five hours now is good for me,” he says.
“I get a big buzz coming up to a milestone race and it was a great feeling to have achieved it in Cork. My aim is to complete 700 marathons by the end of this year, and 1,000 marathons by the age of 70.”
The most marathons Dave completed in a calendar year was 104 in 2014 and his 500th also took place in Cork, in Courtmacsherry.
In 1986 Bob Geldof made an appeal on ‘The Late Late Show’ for people to take part in a Sports Aid 10k race in the Phoenix Park to raise funds for Ethiopia.
Dave, then aged 36, was watching the programme and decided to answer Sir Bob’s call. The next day he ran the race in 42 minutes. He hasn’t stopped running since.
Dave, who works in construction, says he’s very fortunate in that he never picks up an injury.
“A lot of people ask me about it,” he says. “I’ve had no injuries in 32 years. “Because I work in construction, I’m up and down scaffolding and ladders all day and it helps to keep the joints moving.
“I reckon if I was in a desk job, it might be different as I wouldn’t be as loosened up. The job is a great help for the running.”
As we’re currently enjoying a running boom, Dave’s advice to other runners is to always be aware of where you are placing your feet.
“Some runners are looking around too much and taking in the scenery and by not concentrating, can end up tripping on something and injuring themselves,” he says. “Concentration is very important.”
Dave, who will turn 67 in September, ran his first Dublin Marathon in 1986, and his first Belfast Marathon the following year. His ultimate aim is to run 50 marathons in both cities.
“I’ll be an 85-year-old when I achieve it,” adds this unassuming endurance athlete who continues to take each marathon in his stride!