Search on for runner who helped westmeath man complete the marathon

Runner Martin Murphy is searching for the man who helped him cross the finish line of the Dublin City Marathon to say "thank you"!

Marathon runners will know that 'hitting the wall’ is a nightmare experience, and there’s little they can do to come back from it.

That’s what happened St Brigid’s AC secretary Martin Murphy from Castlepollard, who was running his fourth Dublin marathon, when it occurred at mile 20.

He struggled on after that, but it was the helping hand of a stranger, Padraic Lenehan, that got him across the finish line.

This picture featured in national newspapers the following day and now Martin is looking to say thank you to the man who helped him.

“Everything was going well. I was enjoying the race and the atmosphere on the day, but I was aiming for a time and I started off too fast. When I reached the 20-mile mark I hit the wall and the wheels came off the wagon,” Martin said.

“I was struggling really badly. I had to walk from 20 miles because once you hit the wall you don’t come back from it. With 200 metres to go, everything locked up.

"I could see the finish line but my legs and arms wouldn’t move and next thing, out of nowhere someone came along, put out his arm, and helped me across the finish line.

“It was absolutely amazing. He was like an angel on the day. Only for him, I was out of it. I don’t know him and I didn’t have the chance to say thank you, so if anyone out there knows how I can get in touch with him I’d greatly appreciate it."