The Adidas-backed "Impossible Is Nothing" provides a handful of first-timers with advice and support each year as they prepare for the Dublin marathon.
Many of those selected to participate have overcome physical injury or illness and most aim to use their run to raise money for charities of particular importance to them.
Over the coming months we'll be keeping track of how their training is going and here five talk briefly about why they are embarking on the challenge.
Catherine Kelly:A 28-year-old Australian living in Dublin, Catherine Kelly has run many triathlons in Perth. Having over-come cancer herself, she is hoping to raise awareness of breast cancer in younger women and is running to raise money for the Marie Keating Foundation. "I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002 at 24. I'm currently in remission and have been working to improve my fitness since finishing treatment three years ago.
"I've always wanted to complete a marathon. I've already been through the greatest challenge of my life but I feel I'm ready for another one."
Justin McDermott:Having suffered a bad leg break playing rugby when younger and been told as a result that he would never be able to run long distances, 27-year-old Justin McDermott from Galway is using the fundraising potential of the marathon to keep his effort to prove the medical advice wrong on track.
"I hope to raise funds for a charity I work for in Galway called Cope. It'll be a great incentive for me to know that my training and completion of the marathon will have a positive impact on the lives of homeless people in Galway."
Sarah Conlon:A physiotherapist with the HSE in Louth, Sarah Conlon (31) has plenty of running experience having run three half marathons. She also has a good level of general fitness but the 26-mile distance will represent new territory.
"I've wanted to run the marathon for the past few years but lacked the motivation and dedication to get to the start line. This is the ideal opportunity to fulfil this wish. My biggest achievement to date was to hike to Mount Everest Base Camp in 2005, so I'm hoping to top that with a finish in the Dublin City Marathon."
Jonathan Battell:A 42-year-old from Waterford, Jonathan Battell successfully set up a marketing company with his wife but sees running a marathon as a different kind of goal. The run will also form a major part of his campaign to raise €100,000 for the South East Cancer Foundation.
"I've always wanted to do a marathon and seeing a piece in the paper about the team gave me an added incentive to prepare for the marathon with the help of a trainer and support of a team. Also, my wife's father sadly died of cancer recently so I see it as an opportunity to raise some money for a good cause."
Alison Larkin:Turning 40 on the day of the marathon, Alison Larkin, from Dublin, has suffered from kidney problems in the past but is now looking forward to the challenge of her first marathon.
"I wanted to do a marathon and the prospect of doing it for a good cause makes it, for me, even more worthwhile. I've decided to fundraise for the Renal Department in Tallaght Hospital. Having been a patient myself over the years it is an area of medicine that is of interest to me.
"As the marathon falls on my birthday, hopefully there will be cause for double celebrations on the day."