Still loving the marathon buzz after 50 years of running

My Marathon: Paddy Craddock

My Marathon: Paddy Craddock

Why I'm running: I have been doing it for so long now, it wouldn't seem right for October to come along without me running the Dublin Marathon.

Age: 70.

Level of experience: I have been running for nearly 50 years and I have completed 41 marathons before this one.

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Best running achievement so far: I ran two hours 45 minutes for the marathon in Tullamore when I was 45 years old and I came in the top 100 of the first Dublin Marathon in 1980. I have also run various road races over the years.

Where I train: Blackrock Athletics Club in Dublin, on the grounds of UCD at the Smurfit Business School in Carysfort.

Estimated completion time: Hopefully between three and a half hours and three hours and 45 minutes.

Running gives me energy. It's strange really but I find I can do so much more in the day if I have been for a run in the morning. I just love the long distances.

When I was a kid I did everything - boxing, GAA, gymnastics - but in 1955 I got married and decided that I could not give up so much time to sport so I decided to concentrate on the running.

I suppose you could say I have been running long distances for 50 years.

This will be my 42nd marathon. I have done all the Dublin marathons since it started in 1980. I've done the Boston marathon twice and have also run in Belfast, London, Brighton, Tullamore and other places.

I love it. I have always found the longer distances easy. I seem to be able to go on and on.

I ran the first Dublin Marathon in 1980, in two hours and 51 minutes and came 96th overall. My best time was two hours and 45 minutes in Tullamore in the 1980 National Marathon Championship. Not bad for a 45-year-old!

Obviously being 70 now I am slowing up a bit but I still hope to run this year's race in around three and a half hours to three hours and 45 minutes.

I recently ran a half marathon in the Phoenix Park in one hour and 43 minutes so I am feeling good at the moment.

I find the running keeps me young. I don't feel 70.

Of course it doesn't happen by accident. I train six days a week, all year round, whatever the weather. On Thursdays and Sundays, I train with my club, Blackrock AC, and the rest of the week I go running on my own.

I have been for six three-hour runs in the build-up to this race but now I have begun to taper off the training, just going for shorter runs and keeping in good condition.

Diet is important but it is just a case of eating sensibly. I don't drink or smoke, which helps, and I don't eat between meals. I eat plenty of fruit and vegetables. I look after myself and, of course, my wife looks after me too. We have been married for 50 years so she has had to put up with everything for that long.

We're getting close to the marathon now and I'm really looking forward to it.

There is a great buzz about the Dublin Marathon. It's a fantastic occasion and very friendly. The people really come out and support it. I can't wait.

In an interview with James Fitzgerald