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11th Aug 2015

Four Irish Brothers to Run the New York Marathon – 35 Years After They First Completed It

The four Quinn brothers will run again 35 years on for Multiple Sclerosis Ireland

Rebecca McKnight

Dublin brothers Sean, Brian, Frank and Michael Quinn have announced their return to New York 35 years on, to participate in the New York City Marathon for a second time. 

The siblings first completed the feat 35 years ago, in 1980.

The Quinn brothers, now in their 60s, will be taking part in the marathon to raise funds for Multiple Sclerosis Ireland, and with 12 weeks to go the four brothers say they are on track with their training .

The Quinns were the first set of four brothers in the world to run a marathon together when they ran the NYC Marathon in 1980. At the time their story received widespread media attention with the New York Times, New York Daily News and news networks ABC, CBS and NBC featuring it in the lead-up to the race.

Quinn Brothers 1980

Michael Quinn says of the build-up to the marathon in 1980, “A few days before the race our story was one of the leads across the networks and newspapers so we had to run it then! We were four fairly unfit lads but we had youth on our side. We were all in our twenties at the time and played GAA so we weren’t too worried.”

Frank added: “Thirty-five years later we may not manage to do it in the same time as before but our hope is to take part in the marathon once again and raise funds to support people with multiple sclerosis in the process.”

MS Ireland is the national organisation provid­ing information, support and services to the MS community. Funds raised will go to MS Ireland in order to provide information, specialised services and resources to the MS community in Ireland.

To show your support and sponsor the Quinn brothers please visit www.justgiving.com/Quinn-Brothers.