London runner travelling to Wexford to run halfmarathon in honour of his mother’s late husband

A RUNNER from London will be taking part in the Pettitt’s half-marathon this weekend to raise funds for Wexford People Helping People ( WPHP). Craig Dunsmuir (50) is the son of Deirdre McGarry and will also be running the half-marathon in honour of her husband, Ed Barker, who passed away in February of this year.

Craig, who only took up running a couple of years ago, is travelling to Wexford especially for the race and hopes to support WPHP’s Sanctuary Café through his efforts. The café, which is open every Monday night from 6-9 p.m., is a wellbeing initiative started by the charity’s new director Wally O’Neill which offers friendship and hospitality, hot drinks and food, and support to anyone suffering loneliness or coping with issues on their own.

As part of the service there are a number of trained mental health volunteers on hand and free counselling is available if required.

The Pettitt’s run will be Craig’s first official attempt at the half-marathon but he comes equipped with a plan to last the course.

“I want to put in a good effort but don’t want to blow it up on the two hills on the course which are 3 km and 2 km with about a 2 per cent incline,” he said. “I’m going to be conservative up the first hill, try and get a feel for it, put shift in up the second and make up the rest by keeping my legs turning like a Katherine wheel on the downhills of equal decline.”

Craig is a passionate vegan and believes his healthy lifestyle choices has helped with his new running. He recently ran the Vitality 10k in London and loved the crowd support and reaction, which inspired him a personal best time of 50 minutes and five seconds. Craig said he hopes people will spot him in Wexford and not only sponsor the charity he’s running for but give him a wave and a shout. He will have number 3568 on his tee shirt and will be wearing a distinctive orange running cap. He is hoping to achieve a time of one hour 50 minutes.

Wally said of Craig, “We are really grateful for Craig running this race to help us with much needed funds and wish him the very best on the day. We know he’s put in a lot of training, to do as well as he can on the day. All credit to him.”

Anyone who wants to support Craig and the Sanctuary café can come into Red Books with cash or give on the following link online www.paypal.me/wexaid