From World Records to the Formation of the Exclusive 150 Club
Alex O’Shea’s Burning Ambition.
Alex’s commitment to charity remains tireless. In 2018, he completed the staggering challenge of 32 marathons in 32 counties in under 16 days. Despite his global exploits, Alex’s heart remains in Cork. He has returned to his home race as a top-10 finisher, a pacer, and a dedicated volunteer. 2027: Can Lightning Strike Twice? To celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Cork City Fire Brigade in 2027, Alex is returning to where it all began. But this time, he’s upping the stakes. Alex will once again “toe the line” in full fire gear, but with a grueling addition: he will also be wearing and breathing through a Breathing Apparatus (BA). This introduces a daunting set of hurdles: Restricted Vision: The mask limits his peripheral awareness of the road and fellow runners. Extreme Heat Stress: The fire suit and mask trap body heat, making temperature regulation extremely difficult. Air Management: Alex must carry a heavy tank and backplate, changing cylinders numerous times while the race clock continues to tick. He can only hydrate by stopping completely to remove his gear.
In 2014, at age 40, Alex O’Shea stood at the start line of the Cork City Marathon with a goal that seemed impossible. It was his first-ever marathon, but he wasn’t just running for a finisher’s medal. Clad in his full, heavy fire kit, Alex didn’t just break the Guinness World Record for the fastest marathon in firefighter gear - he shattered it. Crossing the line in 3:41:10, he took nearly an hour off the previous record set only weeks earlier in London. In doing so, he raised vital funds for the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind and earned the nickname that stuck: “The Running Fireman.” At the time, Alex was balancing his running with life as a father to four children under the age of six & career as a firefighter. “Preparation was key” A Decade of Endurance Since that historic day, Alex hasn’t slowed down. He has become a titan of the Irish ultra-running scene, earning national medals at 50km, 100km, 24-hour distances & breaking the national 6hr record. He has donned the Irish singlet five times and conquered some of the most brutal footraces on the planet—from the scorching heat of the Spartathlon race in Greece to the sub-zero extremes of the Arctic.
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Cork City Marathon 2026
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