The Dublin man who ran around the world has been awarded “person of the year” by his adventure sports peers.
Tony Mangan (57) from the Liberties was handcuffed and questioned by Iranian police, navigated Farc guerilla territory in Colombia, was robbed in Panama and crossed Australia in record time during his 50,000 km challenge, which was equivalent to almost 1200 marathons in 1,155 road days.
He began with the Dublin marathon in 2010 and completed his circumnavigation by foot at last October’s marathon in the capital.
Receiving his award, Mr Mangan said that his mam was still worrying about him.
“She was worrying about me being walking a mile in the cold weather,”he said. “I have to remind her: ‘Mam, I’ve just run around the world; I’ll be fine.’”
He was voted Outsider magazine person of the year, while kitesurfer Jade O'Connor (43), also from Dublin, was named adventure sports "woman of the year".
Ms O'Connor won the British ladies kitesurfing championship in June 2014 and came eighth in the world championship in Istanbul, Turkey, last August.
The "most inspiring" person award was given to multi-sport racer Liam Delahunty (36) from Kilkenny, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis eight years ago, and suffered serious depression.
In 2013, he set a target of completing 24 races in 18 months, which he completed last December with a final event in Waterford.
