A MARATHON EFFORT
Runners from across Wicklow presented with awards
RUNNERS from all across Wicklow were awarded for their stellar performances in the Dublin City Marathon races at a ceremony in the Glenview Hotel recenly.
Wicklow entered a host of races in different age categories in both the men’s and ladies races and all in all the championships was a phenomenal success for the Wicklow athletes and the county as a whole.
The Dublin City Marathon races cover two fronts with the Wicklow participants battling it out for both Leinster and National honours within the same race. To put this year’s success into perspective Wicklow would on average come away with perhaps 3-5 Leinster medals and 1 or 2 national medals, however this year’s unprecedented success saw Wicklow athletes bag a total of 15 Leinster medals and 6 national medals.
Therefore it was a busy night to say the least in the Glenview, with medals galore being presented.
To begin the night were medals for Gary Conlon and Susan Foots who ran in the respective men’s and ladies over-45 marathon races. Gary won the gold medal in his race in a time of 2:38 while Susan came home in second place in her race in a time of 3:05.
Cian O’Kennedy was successful in the national over-55’s race, bagging the gold medal for county Wicklow in a time of 3:45.
Sarah Baryga, of Bray Runners, added another gold medal to the overall haul, winning the over-40’s ladies race in just under three hours, 2:59.
Jean O’Kennedy was successful on two fronts, as her stellar run in a time of 3:42 in the over-55’s race saw her win a gold medal at Leinster level and a bronze at national level.
Mary Nolan-Hickey of the Inbhear Mór club ran an incredible race to win the women’s over-65 race in a time of 5:08.
Micheal Knight completed the individual medals awarded, he won bronze in the over-60’s race in 3:24.
Next up was the award of the team medals, and yet again Wicklow’s medal haul included a sizable list.
For the first time ever, the women’s master’s team (aged 35-45) won the masters national title as well as collecting the Leinster national title in the same race. The team was made up of Sarah Darygh and Susan Foot from Bray Runner’s, and Catherine O’Connor from Parnell’s club. The trio completed the marathon in a combined time of 9:19, which incredibly was faster than the winners of the senior women’s race, but the women were not eligible for this title.
In the same race a Wicklow team was also successful in picking up the bronze medal in the Leinster championship. The trio this time was made up of Helen Barry from Bray Runner’s, Carol Costello from Greystones AC, and Laura McCann from Inbhear Mór. The women came home in a combined time of 10:26.
The master’s men’s team replicated this feat, as they finished third, picking up the bronze medal, in their Leinster championship. Kilcoole was the associated club for all three athletes, who were Colm Wendel, Brian Gurrin and Damien Byrne.
A huge congratulations to all the athletes, mentors and supporters involved. To come back from the marathons with such a lofty medal haul is a reflection of the massive effort being put in, both individually and collectively, to athletics in Wicklow. Hopefully the success this year will be built on and continue into the future, and perhaps inspire others to get involved or take up the sport.