(Don’t) stop in the name of the law

The longest on-foot pursuit in garda history will take place in Portugal next month when a Cork copper chases a ‘prison escapee’ for over 40km.

On 10 October, Garda Emmet Long will take on the Lisbon marathon in full uniform, including boots, stab vest, utility belt, personal radio, pepper spray, handcuffs, and baton.

Throughout the 42km challenge, he will be in hot pursuit of ‘jailbreaker’ pal Paul Keating, dressed in an orange County Jail jumpsuit.

The pair are taking on the challenge to raise crucial funds for CUH’s children’s unit, via CUH Charity.

“I love kids; my own son is six in December. He’s fit and healthy and I’m at the peak of my own fitness levels, so this is a great way to give back,” said former Defence Forces member Emmet.

“Both Paul and I are dads and having our children is the best thing that’s ever happened to us. We love kids, and that’s the real reason we’re doing this - to support the children and families who need it most,” he said.

Emmet, 36, who is stationed in Bishopstown, became the first ever serving garda to run a marathon in full uniform when he took on the Cork City Marathon last summer, raising over €4,000 for CUH Charity and the Little Blue Heroes charity.

But running in sunnier Portugal is likely to be a different proposition.

“It’s different in shorts but I’d be aiming for a time of about 4.5 hours in uniform and I’m more prepared this year than I was last year,” he said.

Father-of-one Paul, 43, from Mallow, admits he has a definite advantage, running the Lisbon course in runners, but the friends will try to maintain the ‘chase’ for the entire 42km.

“We’ll be running together the whole way, but only as fast as the slowest person,” said Paul.

“I have the luxury of wearing runners; Emmet’s in for a slightly harder run!”

The friends hope their Lisbon run, with every cent going to CUH Charity, will raise up to €10,000 for the children’s unit. The public is asked to donate “any they can” at bidonate.ie/fundraiser/emmetlong2.

As well as being avid runners, Emmet and psychotherapist Paul are business partners – they run gardafitnesspreparation.ie, a training and fitness company specifically designed for garda applicants and serving members.