2027 World Record Attempt
Alex O’Shea – “The Running Fireman”
A new challenge. A new level. A new standard.
In 2027, to mark the 150th anniversary of Cork City Fire Brigade, Alex O’Shea – “The Running Fireman” will attempt a new Guinness World Record at the Cork City Marathon. This is not a repeat of 2014.This time, Alex will run 26.2 miles in full firefighter gear — while wearing and operating a breathing apparatus. More weight. More heat. More pressure. All in support of Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind.
THE CHALLENGE
Alex’s 2027 challenge is simple to explain — but brutal to execute.
This challenge now includes:
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Breathing apparatus
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Cylinder changes during the race
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Complex hydration strategy
Every element adds pressure — physically and mentally.
He will run a full marathon wearing:
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Boots
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Pants
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Jacket
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Helmet
And in addition to the full fire kit, he will also carry and wear:
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A 300-bar cylinder
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A rigid backplate harness
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A full face mask
This is not just a marathon. This is controlled endurance under extreme operational conditions. Every added element increases heat, restricts movement, and compounds fatigue over every mile.
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WHAT MAKES THIS DIFFERENT
Most marathon runners fight fatigue.Alex will be managing survival variables.
Alex will be fighting:
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Heat entrapment
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Oxygen restriction
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Added weight
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Hydration limitations
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Forced stop-start pacing
This is not just about running — it is about managing stress, systems, and survival under pressure.
CYLINDER CHANGES AND TIME PRESSURE
One of the most punishing parts of the attempt is that the run will involve approximately 13 cylinder changes.
That means:
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He must stop
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Change cylinders
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Restart again
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Regain pace
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Continue without any pause to the official time
Each stop breaks rhythm. Each restart demands energy.
The stop-start nature of the effort creates repeated momentum loss, and every interruption increases the difficulty of maintaining rhythm across the full 26.2 miles.
As Alex has said:
“Time is the enemy - you want rhythm, not interruption.”
And that is the real battle here. Not just distance. Not just gear. But the time lost at every forced stop. Over 26.2 miles, these small interruptions become the biggest challenge of all.
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THE PHYSICAL REALITY
This challenge places Alex under layers of physical demand rarely seen in a marathon setting.This is where the challenge becomes real.
The physical stress includes:
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Full protective fire gear over marathon distance
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Breathing through a full face mask
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Carrying the load of breathing apparatus
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Managing heat buildup inside the gear
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Running with restricted comfort and airflow
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Repeated restarts after cylinder changes
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Sustaining pace despite increasing fatigue
This is not just endurance - it is controlled suffering with purpose.
WHY 2027 MATTERS
The 2027 attempt is tied to a major milestone:
This is bigger than sport. It is a tribute to generations of firefighters - past, present, and future.
150 years of Cork City Fire Brigade
This gives the challenge deeper meaning.
It is not only a personal sporting target. It is also a tribute to service, to the firefighting community, and to the discipline that defines the job.
Alex’s identity as “The Running Fireman” comes directly from that connection — combining real fire service experience with elite endurance performance.
The 2027 event brings those worlds together again on one of Cork’s biggest public stages.
It is where identity, service, and endurance meet.
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Press Release
In 2027, Cork City Fire Brigade will celebrate its 150th anniversary.
To mark this historic milestone, firefighter and endurance athlete Alex O’Shea will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the fastest marathon in full fire gear.
Having previously set a record of 3:41:10, Alex now returns with an even greater challenge.
This time, he will complete the marathon wearing full fire kit and a breathing apparatus — increasing the physical and logistical demands significantly.
This means more weight, more heat, and complex coordination, including multiple cylinder changes during the race.
The attempt is expected to draw national and international attention, combining elite performance with a powerful charity mission in support of Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind.
THE CHARITY PURPOSE
Alex is no stranger to Irish Guide Dogs HQ in Cork.
He has met trainers, staff, and clients - and has seen firsthand the life-changing impact these dogs provide.
As a firefighter, he has worked in smoke-filled environments where visibility is lost.
That experience gives him a real understanding of what it means to navigate without sight.
Through this campaign, Alex wants to help support a charity that restores:
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Confidence
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Mobility
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Independence
The fundraising model includes:
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GoFundMe for individual supporters
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Corporate sponsorship for larger-scale support
Every step of this challenge is driven by impact.
100% of funds raised go directly to the charity.
Built for the Ultimate Test
Every detail matters—from strategy to stamina. This challenge demands discipline, planning, and the mindset of an elite endurance athlete.
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BUILDING ON A WORLD RECORD LEGACY
Alex is no stranger to record attempts.
In 2014, he broke the Guinness World Record for the fastest marathon in full fire gear.
Record time: 3:41:10
That achievement established him publicly as The Running Fireman.
But the 2027 challenge goes further.
This time, it is not only full fire gear. It is full fire gear plus breathing apparatus.
That changes everything.
The 2027 attempt is not just another marathon.
It is the evolution of the original record into something far more demanding.
What was once a world record is now just the starting point.
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PREPARATION AND MINDSET
Alex’s approach to this challenge is built on one principle:
Preparation breeds success.
This attempt cannot be improvised.
It requires:
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Careful pacing
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Equipment planning
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Cylinder change strategy
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Heat management
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Physical conditioning
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Mental resilience
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Rehearsed execution under pressure
Alex’s background gives him a unique platform for this:
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11 years in the Navy
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20+ years in firefighting
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International endurance competition
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Extreme environment racing
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World-record experience
This is where experience meets execution..
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MORE THAN A MARATHON
This attempt is about more than record books.
It represents:
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Service
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Endurance
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Discipline
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Community
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Charity
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Legacy
It connects:
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Cork City Fire Brigade’s 150th anniversary
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Alex’s firefighting identity
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His endurance background
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His charity work
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A public challenge with real impact
This is not just a marathon.
This is a mission with meaning.
SUPPORT THE ATTEMPT
This is your opportunity to be part of something bigger.
Alex’s 2027 World Record Attempt is an opportunity for individuals, supporters, runners, businesses, and the wider community to be part of something meaningful.
Ways to support:
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Donate through GoFundMe
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Become a corporate sponsor
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Follow the journey
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Share the mission
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Help raise awareness for Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind
Support the challenge. Support the cause. Be part of the journey to 2027.
Be part of the journey. Be part of the impact.
