21.10.2015
Christ Church Priest Vicar to Run Dublin Marathon This Weekend for Bishops’ Appeal
There are just five days to go until the Dublin City Marathon and Christ Church Cathedral’s Residential Priest Vicar, the Revd Garth Bunting, is preparing to go the extra mile (or rather the extra 13 miles) for Bishops’ Appeal. Garth originally undertook to run the Dublin Half Marathon in September but threw down the gauntlet saying that if he could raise over €2,000 for his chosen charity he would run the full marathon which takes place this Bank Holiday Monday.
People responded in their droves and to date have donated €4,200 with money continuing to roll in. Garth has been astounded by his previously undiscovered ability to run long distances and the generosity of others.
Earlier this year, Garth decided to take up exercise and took on a personal trainer. As part of his newly adopted fitness regime he signed up for the Dublin Half Marathon. He decided to seek sponsorship for his endeavour and raise funds for Bishops’ Appeal.
“People keep giving money. I can’t work out whether people are being really generous or just want to see me suffer,” he jokes.
He says the half marathon was great fun and he completed the distance of over 13 miles in two hours and 10 minutes. But there was no time for rest and in the last two weeks he completed his 20 mile training run for the full marathon and was happy with that distance.
Once his exercise routine was confined almost entirely to the aisles of the cathedral but now he is pounding the footpaths around Dublin. Garth attributes his success in training to having a training partner. His personal trainer, Michael English, has been with him every step of the way. Ice cream has also provided a great incentive as has the wonderful support of others.
“It’s been a really good experience. I never thought at the start of this year that I’d be doing a marathon. But I’ve been carried along by the support I’ve received from people donating and from their messages on Facebook and Twitter and the positive comments about the amount of weight I’ve lost. I want to thank everyone who has supported me. It’s been great fun and I hope it’s inspired others,” he says.
You can still sponsor Garth and donate to Bishops’ Appeal via the Christ Church Cathedral website at Donations can be made online via the Christ Church Cathedral website at http://christchurchcathedral.ie/donate/. Just click on the Bishops’ Appeal button. Or you can give your donation directly to Garth at the cathedral. Follow Garth’s progress on www.facebook.com/lengthofmyself
Photo caption: The Revd Garth Bunting presents a cheque to Lydia Monds, education advisor with Bishops’ Appeal.