WATCH Podiums and milestones for Back 2 Boston at Regeneron Great Limerick Run 2026

Podiums and milestones for Back 2 Boston Running Club at Regeneron Great Limerick Run 2026. Liam Dunne pictured with John Kinsella. Photo: Cian Reinhardt/ilovelimerick

A first hometown podium finish for John Kinsella was among the milestones for Back 2 Boston at the 2026 Regeneron Great Limerick Run

The 2026 Regeneron Great Limerick Run marked some milestones and lifetime achievements for members of the Back 2 Boston Running Club.

John Kinsella, founder of the Back 2 Boston Running Club, was “buzzing” at the Great Limerick Run finish line on Sunday, May 3, when the athlete claimed his first podium finish at the annual Limerick marathon.

Speaking with I Love Limerick at the finish line, John, who finished in third place for the men’s marathon, said, ”  I’m buzzing! I’m delighted, it’s my first time getting on the podium in my own city. I’m very proud. I always say up Limerick, but this means a lot to me!”

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Met by his wife and kids, the Limerick man celebrated his achievement at the race, which started his running journey.

“I did the Great Limerick Run 10 years ago – I did the six-mile – never ran in my life, and that race ended up changing my life. Now I ended up running for my country, and I’m here on the podium. I ran 2:26 in Limerick. I can’t believe it!”

John, who set up Back 2 Boston to help get others involved in running to help change their lives the way it changed his, quickly turned his focus to his teammates, acknowledging the 2025 women’s winner, Ava Crean, who missed out on this year’s competition due to injury.

John said, “I had Ava in my thoughts all day today. Ava, my dad, this one’s for you!”

Marking another proud moment for John, he waited patiently at the finish line for teammate Liam Dunne, who had been training for just under a year for the marathon event.

Liam hopes his time in the race will help him with the goal of getting to the Boston Marathon, saying, “Absolutely delighted, qualify for Boston hopefully next April, so I’m delighted with that to be honest.”

Liam was embraced by John at the finish line, and both reflected on his journey so far.

Liam, a Tipperary native, said, “ I’d been training for the last year, about maybe 11 months or around that. I’d done the six-mile here last year, and I took up running. I knew there was something in me because I had done six miles in 38 something.”

“For this man here, I have a lot to be thankful for,” Liam said while pointing to John. He explained how the project helped with his personal journey, “ Swap on addiction for another, I suppose!”

A proud John Kinsella said, “ He’s amazing. I am very proud of him today. I said to the lads yesterday, just go out and do your best, and hopefully next year, some of you get to go to Boston.

“Liam has been on the project for the last nine months, and he has his own story, his own battles, and that’s what the project’s all about, giving people a second chance to express themselves at running. And this man just took it by the scruff of the neck, and he’s out running two 39 in his second marathon!”

The Back 2 Boston mission is to empower individuals from disadvantaged areas and those in recovery by providing them with the opportunity to run and ultimately guide runners to participate in a 5k, 10k or Marathon, with the ultimate goal of competing in a future Boston Marathon.