On Sunday, actor Colin Farrell joined the Dublin Marathon with a remarkable twist. He ran the last 4 kilometers of the race while pushing his longtime friend, Emma Fogarty, who lives with epidermolysis bullosa (EB), a severe skin condition. Fogarty, Ireland’s oldest surviving individual with EB, turned 40 this year—a milestone many thought impossible due to her health challenges.
Meeting Fogarty near the end of the race, Farrell pushed her wheelchair across the finish line to the crowd’s cheers. The Oscar-nominated actor remarked, “Running the last few kilometers together symbolized each decade of her life. It was an unforgettable experience,” as he shared with PA Media.
Fogarty, a DEBRA Ireland ambassador, expressed gratitude for Farrell’s dedication, calling it a dream come true. “Colin’s loyalty and support for people with EB have been unwavering,” she said. Together, they have raised over three-quarters of their €1 million goal for DEBRA, which helps individuals with EB, a condition where even the slightest movement can tear the skin.
In addition to Farrell’s inspiring run, the marathon featured impressive performances from elite athletes. Kenya’s Moses Kemei clinched victory in the men’s race, crossing the finish line with a personal best time of 2:08:46. He was followed closely by Ethiopia’s Abebaw Desalew, who finished second in 2:09:23. Dublin runner Hiko Tonosa made headlines by breaking the Irish record, finishing third in 2:09:42 and earning the national marathon title.
In the women’s division, Ethiopia’s Asmirach Nega secured the win with a record-setting time of 2:24:13. Last year’s champion, Sorome Negash, finished second in 2:24:45, while Grete Dukale completed an Ethiopian sweep of the podium in third place with a time of 2:28:29. Ann-Marie McGlynn captured the Irish women’s national title, finishing in 2:34:04, while Scotland’s Sean Frame won the wheelchair race in 1:45:14.
Farrell, who recently launched the Colin Farrell Foundation to aid families with adult children living with intellectual disabilities, continues to support causes close to his heart, including EB awareness and advocacy.
