Yemeni refugee taking on marathon after epic journey across Europe

Anwar Ali is stepping into the unknown when he tackles his first marathon around the streets of Dublin next Sunday.

Born in Aden, a city in the south of Yemen, he left home in 2011 and has never returned to his homeland.

Ali is one of the 22,500 who have signed up to the fourth-largest European marathon, but plotting his way around the 26.2 mile course pales into insignificance when you consider the challenges he has faced since leaving war-torn Yemen.

The 31-year-old, who only completed his first 5km in February of last year just three months after arriving to Ireland, is among a group of 25 Sanctuary Runners seeking international protection or refugee status taking part in this year's Irish Life Dublin Mararhon - a record number.

The growth of the Sanctuary Runners movement – established in Cork six years ago to promote solidarity-through-sport, the movement now boasts 40 groups across the country – has come at a time where the anti-immigration movement has never been more vocal.

The group's distinctive light blue t-shirts will be dotted around the city with 100 runners from 18 countries represented on their team this year.

In total the group will have 100 runners from 18 countries pounding the capital’s roads. With community inclusion at the heart of their ethos, the event known as one of the friendliest city marathons can be expected to row in behind a unique group of runners.

The 25 international protection applicants – believed to be the highest number of people with that legal status to have ever ever taken part in a marathon – represent 13 different countries and live in direct provision centres and emergency accommodation in Dublin, Louth, Monaghan and Cork.

Sanctuary Runners founder Graham Clifford will be running his