Well done to all our local marathon runners who took part in the Dublin City Marathon and Frankfurt last weekend. It was a warm and pleasant day in Dublin much to the delight of the virgin marathoners who participated in their first ever long distance run namely Orla Quirke (finished just over 4:30) Mary Mellody (4:14) & Anita Murphy (4:08) who admitted afterwards that they enjoyed every single step of the electric Dublin atmosphere and all three hit the finish line in hugely formidable times. One thing for certain, this first marathon will forever be imprinted in their minds. Other locals to participate included Carol Hynes who took part in her 12th marathon finishing in a time of 4:11 while Colleen Gallagher completed her 2nd ever marathon in 4:13. All 5 ladies who are affiliated to the Barnaderg Road Runners trained together since June this year and managed to juggle family life, work and training in one happy medium. In fact all 5 ladies ran together for the first 20miles last weekend forming great self-determination and bonding their friendships along the way until the choke was pulled out at the 20mile mark for those who were able until they reached their ultimate goal – the finish line. And while every runner’s experience is unique but for Mary Mellody it generated great speculation given that Carol Hynes signed her up and when the news of participating in DCM was due to be circulated, the rumour mill was in overdrive with the news that No.5 was on the way! But alas no, well not that we know of, instead there was a 26.2 mile run to be completed instead! Well done to all 5 ladies who enjoyed the event so thoroughly that in fact they have already signed up for DCM again next year. Great ladies – Mna na hEireann.
Well done also to the Mike Keating, Ashfield, Castleblakney who completed DCM in 3:26, a time to be acknowledged and admired.
That same weekend saw the master of local runners Gearoid Rohan (Athenry AC) take part in the Frankfurt marathon. Such a powerhouse engine this lad possesses as he powered home in an astonishing time of 2:53 creating a PB for himself in the process. Also to Jane Anne Meehan (Athenry AC) who also struck gold in 2:50 with a new PB. This had to be a hugely gratifying experience for them both to see that clock at the finish line and was nothing short of a brilliant, emotional, enthralling and an uplifting day in Germany last weekend. Even Angela Merkel looked set to congratulate them. Great success stories all round. Keep it up folks…..