Summary

  • Emotional scenes as Jordan and Cian Adams - known as the FTD Brothers - cross the finish line in Dublin to finish their challenge of running 33 marathons in 33 days

  • The brothers, from Redditch in Worcestershire, have raised more than £1.5m so far to tackle frontotemporal dementia (FTD)

  • Their mum Geraldine was diagnosed with FTD in her 40s and died at 52 - the brothers have inherited the gene that causes the condition and are expected to also develop it in their 40s

  • John Adams, the brothers' grandfather, said: "It's hard to put into words how proud I am of them. They are wonderful."

  • Their running challenge began with them completing the London Marathon, before then running marathons in all 32 counties on the island of Ireland over the following 32 days

  • They set off in north Dublin at about 09:30 local time and finished at Merrion Square with friends and family joining them on the final 10km of the run

  • Supporters from far and wide gathered at the finish line

  1. 'You have a choice how you play your hand'published at 15:07 BST

    a shot from below of a man speaking into a microphone. The sky behind him is blue with hardly any clouds

    “I will lose my life starting more than likely in my mid to late 40s," Jordan told the crowd.

    "That hand you get dealt can consume you or you can walk through a door where you can use it as a powerful message to the world to show that no matter the time you have here or the cards that have been dealt, you have a choice how you play your hand.”

  2. Finish line joypublished at 14:59 BST

    Press play to hear the cheers as Jordan and Cian Adams cross the last finish line in their 33 marathons in 33 days.

    Media caption,

    Watch as FTD Brothers complete 32 Irish county marathon challenge

  3. 'Walked out of hospital knowing I wanted to make an impact on the world'published at 14:46 BST

    Jordan is talking about the day he found out that he, too, carries a gene that means he will most likely develop and die of FTD.

    He says he walked out of hospital that day knowing he "wanted to make an impact on the world".

    Huge cheers from the crowd greeted that.

    And apologies if you caught any bad language in the live stream we ran of the finish line and speeches.

  4. Emotional scenespublished at 14:45 BST

    There were emotional scenes at the finish line.

    The brothers were embraced by their friends and family and breathed what looked like a sign of relief.

    Their dad Glenn hugged each brother and tears were flowing.

    The brothers are about to hug holding Irish flags in each hand
    Image caption,

    The brothers embraced each other following their final marathon

  5. Jordan Adams speaks at the finish linepublished at 14:40 BST

    Jordan is now addressing the crowd with his brother Cian by his side. Hit the play button at the top of the page to watch them speak live to the crowd who cheered them on at the finish line.

  6. They've done it!published at 14:27 BST

    Thirty-three marathons in as many days; the FTD Brothers have completed their challenge.

    Crowds cheered and music played as Jordan and Cian crossed the line for the final time, carrying Ireland flags overhead.

    The boys hugged each other and their sister Kennedy

    What an achievement!

    The brothers are running across the finish line holding Irish flags above their heads
    Image caption,

    Crossing the finish line

  7. Already planning the next challengepublished at 14:27 BST

    Gavin Kermack
    Reporter, BBC Hereford & Worcester

    Glenn (the boys' dad) says Jordan is already planning his next challenge.

    “First thing is that Jordan and Agnes got married two years ago and still haven’t gone on honeymoon. So they are [going to go] away for three weeks or so to relax.

    “But then in September Jordan and Cian both run the Sarajevo Half Marathon and then in October, they’re climbing Mount Kilamanjaro.”

    We're tired just thinking about it.

  8. They're still runningpublished at 14:23 BST

    Jordan and Cian haven't crossed the finish line yet - we hope to bring it to you live, on the Play button at the top, when they do!

  9. 'The life and soul of the party'published at 14:10 BST

    The brothers have been praised for always having a moment for their supporters as they've made their way through Ireland.

    By their own account, they may have got the sociable parts of their personalities from their mum Geraldine, whose FTD diagnosis sparked all of this.

    On their own website, external they pay tribute to her, saying she was "loving, generous and vivacious".

    “Mom was particularly obsessed with big occasions; she was the life and soul of the party.

    “She adored spending time with family & friends.

    “She was the type of lady who you could not help but notice when she walked into a room, ready to talk to absolutely anybody and light up your day with her beautiful smile.”

  10. A festival atmospherepublished at 14:05 BST

    Daniel Logan
    Reporting from Dublin

    With the finish line in sight for the FTD Bros, the crowds here at Merrion Square are really starting to multiply.

    Queues for toilets and food stalls alike are snaking their way through the park.

    Hundreds stand in close proximity to the finish line with not much time left to go until the big moment arrives.

    The arch of the finish line, with crowds visible on either side
    Image caption,

    The finish line is ready

  11. 'Jordan is capable of extraordinary things', dadpublished at 14:03 BST

    Gavin Kermack
    Reporter, BBC Hereford & Worcester

    The brothers' dad, Glenn, said “Living as children, and seeing one of your parents die from dementia, is cruel. It leaves a lasting scar.”

    “They’re not anything really other than normal working-class boys from a small town in the Midlands.

    "We are normal people but Jordan is capable of extraordinary things, and I’m really proud of what he’s doing.”

    John and Glenn are standing next to eachother. John has glasses and a thick moustache. Glenn is smiling and has white hair and is wearing a luminous yellow top.
    Image caption,

    Jordan and Cian's grandfather and dad, John and Glenn

  12. Watch the brothers cross the finish line livepublished at 13:53 BST

    You can watch the boys complete their 33-day challenge, with their family and friends, by clicking the 'Watch Live' button at the top of this page at about 14:15.

    They're due to arrive at Merrion Square by about 14:30.

  13. 'It’s hard to put into words how proud I am of them' - grandfather Johnpublished at 13:45 BST

    Daniel Logan
    Reporting from Dublin

    John is smiling at the camera. He is wearing glasses and has a thick moustache. He has white hair and is wearing a navy and white striped shirt.
    Image caption,

    John Adams is grandfather to Jordan and Cian

    John Adams, Cian and Jordan's grandfather, is among the hundreds at the finish line in Dublin's Merrion Square, but there'll be no-one happier to see the lads.

    "It’s hard to put into words how proud I am of them. They are wonderful.”

    He said the gene of grit and determination is a gene that is inherited “right through the family”.

    John had accompanied his grandkids along most of their marathon challenge across the 32 counties of Ireland, going back to England to look after his partner who has dementia.

    But when describing the people of Ireland he said they “were so generous, every person I’ve spoke to had been so kind”.

  14. 'They make every day count': Sister Kennedy champions brothers' causepublished at 13:37 BST

    Gavin Kermack
    Reporter, BBC Hereford & Worcester

    A woman looks into the camera with a broad smile. She is sitting in the back seat of a car, and the seats and grey upholstery are visible. She is wearing a light-green running top. She has black curly hair tied up.Image source, Kennedy Frampton

    We're hearing from Cian and Jordan's sister Kennedy now, who says the family had to persuade Jordan to take a break part way though today's marathon.

    “He looks very tired, but the amount of people that are running with him and that are on the sidelines are really, really lifting him up and keeping the buzz going.

    The family has lost a number of members from Geraldine’s side of the family to frontotemporal dementia, and Kennedy said it was wonderful that Jordan was doing this challenge in their home country.

    "This is where our mum was from, we’ve got family here in different counties so it’s been really good to feel connected with our roots."

    Both her brothers inherited the FTD gene and are likely to develop the disease by their 40s – but Kennedy tested negative for it.

    “There’s a lot of guilt for me around that,” she said.

    "But I’m so grateful that [Jordan and Cian] haven’t let this overcome them, and this prognosis be the end of them living a fulfilled life.

    “They actually make every day count, and I’m so proud of them.”

  15. 'A tough 33 days'published at 13:30 BST

    We heard from Cian Adams on his exhaustion through the challenge, and brother Jordan agreed - especially given the hot weather of the last couple of days.

    “We are not going to wish good weather away, when you don’t get it too often," Jordan told BBC Radio Ulster’s Good Morning Ulster programme.

    “It is always nice to have some sunshine, and if anything, I have got the best tan I have had in years in Ireland."

    But, he admitted, the weather has made it tougher.

    “When it comes to running, it adds another layer of difficulty to things in terms of staying hydrated and keeping your body temperature down."

    He credited his support team with helping him manage, and also the supporters who have given him water on the road.

    For the final stretch today, he's happy to see cooler weather.

  16. 'We are shattered'published at 13:22 BST

    The brothers are nearly there now, with them expected at the finish line within the hour. But it's been some effort.

    "Completely exhausted" is how Cian Adams said the brothers felt this morning, 32 days in to a 33-day marathon challenge.

    “I just feel completely physically, emotionally, psychologically spent to be honest,” he told BBC Radio Ulster’s Good Morning Ulster.

    “We have been overwhelmed by support by people in Ireland, and media opportunities as well and we are just trying to say yes to everything to get the message as far and as wide as possible.

    “We are shattered now.

    “We have done numerous challenges in the past, and none of them have been supported in the way that we have been supported by the Irish people, it has been quite overwhelming to be honest.”

    Cian said the multiple marathons had given the two brothers the opportunity to connect again with relatives in Ireland.

    He said their mother Geraldine had taken them to Ireland “numerous times” as children.

    “It is really good to go back to Longford and Leitrim, go back to where our granddad went to school, where our nan grew up, it was very special.”

  17. A 'running' order of eventspublished at 13:11 BST

    Abigail Taylor
    BBC News NI

    A group of runners wearing brightly coloured tops running along a road.Image source, Laura-Mary Carter/FTD Brothers
    Image caption,

    The brothers have been joined by swarms of people along the 32 days in Ireland

    Jordan and Cian's final day of their mammoth marathon challenge kicked off more than three hours ago in north Dublin and now they're getting closer to the finish line in central Dublin.

    Crowds are gathering and voices are loud in support for the brothers as they make their way around the city, raising money and awareness for frontotemporal dementia (FTD). It is their final journey after a 32 days of running across every corner of the island of Ireland, where they've been welcomed with open arms.

    They are expected to reach Merrion Square Park at about 2.30pm where the atmosphere is building.

    The boys plan to cross the finish line of the challenge with their family and friends who will join them in the final 10km of the run - you'll be able to watch that moment live at the top of this page too.

    A group of supporters holding a flag that says all of ireland is so proud of you
    Image caption,

    Every corner of the island of Ireland has welcomed them with open arms

  18. 'It's beyond inspirational': Supporters from far and wide at the finish linepublished at 12:58 BST

    Daniel Logan
    Reporting from Dublin

    Meanwhile, at Merrion Square, more people are gathering at the finish line for when the brothers are due to arrive in less than two hours.

    Among them are supporters from England who have travelled to Dublin for the occasion.

    Pippa Southern, a friend of Cian Adam's partner who has travelled from Northumberland, said the hardship they faced growing up was "incredible".

    “Getting the diagnosis they got, to anyone would be really difficult, but they have taken this opportunity to raise awareness, do the challenge they are doing now.

    "They are turning a devastating piece of news into an amazing opportunity to raise awareness.”

    Brown haired woman holding up cardboard sign. The sign says Lets Go FTD Bros!
    Image caption,

    Pippa is a friend of the family

    Lauren Harvey, another friend of the Adams family, is visiting from Essex.

    “They are the most resilient people I have ever met. To be here to support them and know them is a privilege in itself.

    “Maybe not a marathon with a fridge on my back but it would inspire me to be more caring, kind, think about what other people going through.

    "It’s beyond inspirational, beyond emotional."

    A woman holding a cardboard sign saying 32 marathons, countries, days.
    Image caption,

    Lauren has travelled from Essex

  19. 'Keep running!'published at 12:49 BST

    As Jordan and Cian have been making their way around the Irish capital, people have been on the streets top show their support, including the pupils of Holy Child School in the Whitehall area of Dublin.

    Around 30 pupils wave toi the camera with multiple different signs with messages of support. They are dressed in Blue and White uniform, smiling and waving at the camera.
    Image caption,

    Pupils from Holy Child National School, Whitehall district waving on the FTD brothers.

  20. Brothers have 'natural ability' to connect with people - Alzheimer's charitypublished at 12:39 BST

    Gavin Kermack
    Reporter, BBC Hereford & Worcester

    Thirty-three marathons in 33 days is an incredible feat, and it's one that's been recognised by lots of people putting their hands in their pockets to help the brothers raise close to €2m (£1.7m).

    The money is going to dementia research, including to the Alzheimer Society of Ireland.

    Cormac Cahill from the charity told BBC West Midlands radio that it will make a huge difference.

    "We're really looking forward to sitting down with the two brothers after this challenge is over and listening to their ideas, explore how we could use these funds," he said.

    "We're certainly going to use this to look at [developing] some support, something that's sustainable, something that can deliver real impact."

    He praised the brothers for their "natural ability to connect with people".

    "They've galvanised so much support around the different counties, but they've raised hope within the dementia community and that's people living with dementia, it's family carers as well and it's supporters as well."