Ireland's real-life Forrest Gump has returned home after an epic four-year 50,000 km run around the world.

Former construction worker Tony Mangan is apparently hoping to recreate the famous "little run" scene from the

Oscar-winning movie as he prepares tocomplete his adventure at next month's Dublin Marathon.
The 57-year-old Dubliner set off on his single east-west run across an incredible five continents, six deserts and 41 countries back in October 2010.

His epic journey saw him persevere against 50C temperatures, extreme dehydration, debilitating athlete's foot and being careered off the road by lorries in India.

But now fimrly back on Irish soil, Mangan hopes the adventures will continue after he invited people to join him on stretches of a 45-day 1,600km circuit of his home soil.

Mangan has already begun the final leg og his trip and wrote on his blog this morning: “I didn’t finish yesterday (Sunday) due to so much stopping and perhaps a bit drained from the emotional wonderful reception I received in Dublin Port. I also did not sleep in Holyhead port on Friday due to the excitement!

"I still do believe, even though it has been a tough slog, that running is the best way to see the world, running or walking and I really do believe I was put on the planet to run around the world," he added.

Mangan was greeted by about 50 family and friends at Dublin Port on Saturday on his return.

One of the first things he said was: "Let's go and have breakfast."

The round the world trip was the equivalent to 1,185 marathons, almost 300 a year.

Mangan, who is planning to write a book about his adventure, is only the third person to complete the athletic adventure.