Brave James is in the running to become an idol

JAMES Bermingham, from Tallaght, has been announced as a finalist in this year’s inaugural Rock ‘n’ Run Idol contest.

He will be one of the finalists from Dublin, Clare, Meath, Galway and Down who were selected by an expert panel of judges who managed to narrow the wide pool of entries to six inspirational men and women.

All six finalists are currently training hard to take part in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Dublin Half Marathon & 10k race on August 7.

The finalists are also battling it out in a public vote to become the first Rock ‘n’ Run Idol and win an all-expenses paid trip to take part in Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas.

James is a prison officer from Dublin and in October of last year weighed 24 stone.

Four years ago James tragically lost a baby to still birth and his lifestyle and weight spiralled out of control. After not making the final in Operation Transformation last year, James bravely decided to go it alone and take up running.

He started doing some 5k runs and now weighs 18.5 stone and is determined to keep going. 

Another participant, Suzanne, started to run in 2012, but felt so embarrassed she would only run when it was dark at night and wear her husband’s woolly golf hat so no one would notice her. To gain confidence and reach her goal of completing a 5k, Suzanne decided to start a group called Sloggers to Joggers. Having started with five ladies the group now boasts 250 active running members all over Ireland. 

James’s inspirational story caught the attention of the Rock ‘n’ Run judges and he is now competing to become the first Rock ‘n’ Run Idol and win a trip to take part in Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas in October.

The general public is invited to vote for the winner by going to runrock-nroll.com/dublin/rock-idol/ and reading the incredible entries from the six finalists.

The winner will receive an all-expenses paid trip to the Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Marathon in November, the world’s largest night-time running event which takes place on the Las Vegas Strip.

Finalists also received a complimentary entry into this year’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Dublin Half Marathon which has expanded into an action-packed festival of running with an all-new 10k and 5k race added.

The popular race will start in Dublin’s Docklands and finish in the Phoenix Park on the new date of August 7.