Duleek runners light up capital
THROUGH a combination of racing, pacing and spectating, there was heavy involvement from Duleek & District AC in this year’s Dublin Marathon.
The moving of the race from its traditional slot of the October bank holiday Monday to the Sunday has proved a popular one and a record field of almost 20,000 reflected that in addition to being a barometer of the ever-increasing popularity of running.
With 10 of the club’s athletes taking part there was an eclectic mix of novices to the distance as well as experienced veterans. After the months of preparation, arduous mileage, early mornings, blisters, tapering and psychological preparation for the dreaded ‘wall’ the race set off from Fitzwilliam Square in slightly warmer than usual conditions.
As the race meandered and slalomed its way across the city and out through Phoenix Park, the crowds thronged the footpaths, adding colour, atmosphere and warmth which the event is famous for.
A large crowd of spectators from Duleek were on hand at regular intervals throughout the course to cheer on their fellow club members. Lisa Chambard and Olivia Woods were making their marathon debuts and they both ran fantastic races which belied their lack of previous experience over the distance.
Samantha Power and Susan Murphy both successfully scaled the wall and went beyond to add Dublin 2018 to their list of completed marathons.
Anita Carolan will look back fondly on the 2018 marathon as she flew around in an impressive 3hr 42min for a mightily impressive PB. In Paddy Lennon, Anita had a partner in crime, with Paddy destroying his previous personal best over the 42k distance of 3hr 47min.
Steve Gallagher ran a fantastic race to also clear the four-hour marker at the very first time of asking - 3hr 48min - with Rob Kierans also beating that milestone with 3hr 56min. Eric Devine, who has gained entry to the upcoming New York Marathon, warmed up nicely with a time of 3hr 45min.
Derek Reilly found time to take some pictures and savour the experience on the way around, with Ken Brady and his wife Annemarie getting around the course for better and for worse en route to a well0earned marathon finisher’s medal.
The additional responsibility of bringing the athletes targeting a sub 4hr 50min finish in on time fell to experienced marathon runner Ray Cassin and it was a case of mission successfully accomplished.