Newspaper Article
Irishman sets himself mammoth task of
walking around the world to raise awareness of cancer
Tony Mangan
will have walked a staggering 12,000 kilometres by February 27
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64SHARES
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18:13, 10 FEB 2017
Dublin man Tony Mangan pictured as he walks around the world
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64SHARES
An Irishman has set himself the mammoth task of walking around
the world to raise awareness of cancer.
Tony Mangan - Ireland’s very own Forrest Gump - will have walked
a staggering 12,000 kilometres by February 27, a year since he set off on his
epic adventure.
He’s looking to complete 45-50,000 kilometres by the time he
finishes his trip of the world, which started in Dublin and currently has him
in China.
The former construction worker from the Liberties in Dublin aid
there is a minimum requirement needed in order to complete the trek.
The 59-year-old revealed: “The minimum distance required for a
world circumnavigation is just over 26,000 kilometres and four continents.
Sometimes dreams are more important than records.”
The route Dublin man Tony Mangan pictured as he walks around the
world
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But it’s not the first time Tony has walked the circumference of
the earth.
In 2014 he ran 50,000km across the world. But he wanted to send
a message this time around.
He added: “Previously I spent four years running a 50,000 kilometre
lap around the world. I ran it mostly with a backpack. That was my life’s
dream.
“During the planning for that expedition, I wondered how it
could be done. I was also considering a ‘Plan B’ to walk around the world as it
just seemed logistically easier. Eventually, I managed to pull off the run.
Still restless, I revisited my old Plan B and said ‘why not?’
“The reason I travel on foot is that I feel at one with the
people and gradually see a country slowly unraveling. Because I am travelling
at a slow pace, I meet many people every day.
“Often I get invited into homes for refreshments or even a bed
for the night.”
And Tony said that part of the reason for his trip is to help
raise awareness of cancer.
He added: “During my world run, my mother was diagnosed with
bladder cancer. It was a shock as she had always lived healthily.
“She wouldn’t let me stop as my dream had become hers too. We
were told by her doctors that her cancer was discovered too late.
“Had it been discovered earlier perhaps she would be alive
today. Mam lived another five months after she crossed the finish line of my
world run. It just seemed appropriate that I should walk with a message: ‘Life
is precious. Early cancer screening saves lives.’”
And Tony said that he is flying through pairs of runners on the
expedition.
Dublin man Tony Mangan pictured as he walks around the world
He continued: “I am on my 9th pair of running shoes in almost
12,000 kilometres. On my world run, I wore out 50.
“I have worn them all and love Skechers which I am currently
walking with in China.”
And he said that to date there is one day in particular which
stands out more than others.
He added: “I was walking in a storm in the Mongolian Gobi
desert. The tailwind was so strong I was being blown along the road at about
eight kilometres an hour.
“I took out my camera and shot a video. Just then I came to a
nomadic settlement. There were camels, cows and sheep grazing.
“I went over to one of their yurts and was invited inside by a
man who amazingly spoke good English. Their large round tent had a hot stove
taking centre place and it was furnished just like a house for it even had
beds, a wardrobe, solar power, a television and satellite dish.
“I sat there drinking tea and talking to the family for half an
hour. The storm blew me to a record distance of 72 kilometres.”
And when asked if he ever once thought about giving up and
heading home when the going got tough, Tony said: “No, because there is a lot
of dream time gone into this walk. If I didn’t finish it, it would haunt me for
the rest of my life as ‘unfinished business’.”
But he’s not sure when he’ll be finished the trip.
He added: “I am trying to live in the moment and not answer any
‘when’ questions. It seems that the world’s two favourite questions are, ‘what
time will you?’ and ‘when will you?’ Perhaps three or four years.
“There are days when I am so happy on the road that I feel I
could walk forever.
“It will depend on my
funds. People can sponsor a day or a hotel night on the road on my website www.myworldwalk.com”
And he said that despite carrying out the trip on his own, he
doesn’t really get lonely.
He revealed: “I rarely feel alone as there are always people
staring at me. However, in non-English speaking countries there is only so much
baby talk communication I can do.
“I sometimes yearn for live music, a relationship or even a
proper conversation. As best as I can, I keep my sanity by listening to
podcasts or the BBC World Service.”
He said that he has met some truly incredible people on his
journey so far.
Tony concluded: “I know it’s a cliche but the more I travel, the
more I realise that the world is full of good people, with just a few bad
apples.
“In all of my travels I have only met a couple of unsavoury
people. Every town in the world is full of people who want the very best for
their children and their families.
“It doesn’t matter what language they speak, their religion or
country they are from. People are the same all over the world.”
The paper version…
😀
😜
This was my ninth unsuccessful attempt to break the 5 hour barrier, something I routinely do in other trail 50K's. The coarse, soft sand and crushed shell mixture for the middle part of the race just sucks all the energy out of you. I ran (and walked) this part of the course -- miles 8 to 22 -- barefoot, and wore beach slippers for the flat, hard-packed sand through Cocoa Beach, where the running was good. The course starts at Sidney Fisher Park, goes south 15.5 miles, then turns around at Paradise Beach park in Indian Harbour Beach. The temperatures were in the 70's to about 80, sunny with moderate humidity. Lots of people were out on the beach, fishing, surfing, and working on their tans. The race is always held during low tide, so the starting date and time vary from year to year.
