Marathon hopefuls in the best of shape
FALLING leaves can only mean one thing in a running context and so it has proved over the past weeks as Dublin City Marathon preparations have reached fever pitch in Duleek & District AC.
There will be 28 green vests among the 17,000-plus competitors taking to the start line this year, many of whom will be tackling the 26.2-mile distance for the very first time, and the level of interest has surpassed all previous years partly because the race is on a Sunday.
Over the past weeks the club’s athletes have fought though training runs which have peaked at 22 miles, as well as mid-week speed and tempo sessions to build speed endurance, but from this point onwards tapering well and truly begins and the upcoming 20 days will be filled with carb-loading, Epsom salt soaking and getting the all-important mental preparation right.
With the majority knuckling down to their endurance training, a number of the clubs athletes have utilised selected races as an intermediate goal. One such race is the Longwood East of Ireland three-quarter marathon, which provides a valuable temperature check on stamina and endurance.
Four Duleek athletes took to the south Meath village to join a large field and Longwood proved once again to be a happy hunting ground for Derek Reilly as he ran a spectacular 2:18 for the 19 miles.
Paddy Lennon is shaping up nicely for his first sojourn over the marathon distance and continued an excellent year with an impressive time of 2:49, while Eric Devine put in another excellent performance which was rewarded with a time of 2:38.
Whilst marathons are nothing new to adult head coach and seasoned marathon runner Ray Cassin, he has put in some great performances in recent weeks.
Rossmore Forest Park in Monaghan was the specatacular setting for the Monaghan Phoenix AC back-to-back marathon event where athletes ran marathons on consecutive days.
Ray’s marathon experience as well as stamina and determination were to the fore as he completed the first in 4:21, eclipsed by his performance on the second day where he clocked 4:20. A mere seven days later Ray showed no ill effects from this exertion as he completed the Lusk East of Ireland marathon in 4:17.
Barbara Lenehan (pictured below) is another Duleek & District athlete who looks to be building solidly for the last weekend in October.