“I’m going to do it”: Dermot’s marathon challenge for St Luke’s

After a painful marathon he refused to quit, Dermot Munnelly is back, taking on the London Marathon this month for St Luke’s, driven by something deeply personal.

Dermot works in construction as a carpenter. He knows what hard graft looks like.

A few years ago, he took on the Dublin Marathon.

It didn’t go to plan.

“I picked up an injury halfway through and limped the last eight miles, but I finished it.”

The injury, a hip flexor strain, hit him around mile 18. Most runners would have stopped.

Dermot kept going.

Now, he’s ready to do it again. But this time, it means more.

On 26 April, the Stanmore resident will take on the London Marathon to support St Luke’s Hospice, where his wife Nicola has worked as a nurse for over 15 years.

For Dermot, this isn’t just another challenge. It’s personal.

“It’s for the community, for Nicola. It’s a fabulous place, they do so much.”

Since Christmas, he’s made big changes to give himself the best chance, focusing on healthy eating and getting himself in good physical health.

He’s been training around long days at work, getting out early, putting in the miles before most people have started their day.

And he won’t be doing it alone.

His family will be there, cheering him on every step of the way.

Dermot is already close to £1,700 in fundraising, with one final push planned before race day.

It won’t be easy. But he’s done hard things before, and kept going.

“I’m going to do it.”

If you would like to sponsor Dermot on his London Marathon run for St Luke’s, please visit his fundraising page.

You can find out more about supporting St Luke’s through fundraising challenges on this page.