#279 Carl Duffy & Mark Campbell: Founding Swords Running Club, Mental Health Challenges Through Running and Much More

This week on the Any Given Runday podcast, we sit down with Carl Duffy (@carl.duffy98 on Instagram) and Mark Campbell (@markcampbell1998 on Instagram), the dynamic duo behind the Swords Running Club (@swordsrunningclub). Discover how they transformed a casual conversation over a few pints into a thriving community of over 200 members, fostering inclusivity and support for runners of all levels. From personal stories of overcoming mental health challenges, training for your first marathon in Dublin, and running in a sea of purple, Carl and Mark share their journey and insights on building a supportive running community.[11:00] Introduction to Carl Duffy and Mark Campbell, founders of Swords Running Club.[14:30] The Birth of Swords Running Club[22:15] Overcoming personal challenges through running[27:00] Building Swords Running Club to over 200 Members[34:45] Running as Therapy[42:00] Training and Consistency for the Marathon[49:30] Why Swords is More than a Running Club[57:00] Ironman Training & Marathon Goals[65:00] Closing ThoughtsYou can follow us on Instagram@anygivenrundaypodcastALTAR Speed Dust is engineered to keep fuel in your tank so you can go faster, farther and longer than ever before. Use the code AGR15 to get 15% off at checkout (excludes bundles).altarfuel.com The Sports Recovery Kit is everything you need after training, matches, gym sessions and long active days. The full routine, ready to goShop HEREGet the AGR Ultrapure Sprint Bundle HERE If you've never had your VO₂ max or metabolism measured, there's a good chance you're training at the wrong intensity, missing valuable adaptations, or getting your race nutrition wrong.Health Matters replaces guesswork with data. With over 15 years of experience, they're one of Europe's most experienced performance testing providers.Find out more or book your test at myhealthmatters.ie.