Collette ran her 800th race and is aiming for 1,000.. she’s MARATHON GRAN!
AN IRISH grandmother has set a new record after completing her 800th marathon – the equivalent of running from Ireland to Australia and back.
Collette O’hagan, from Dundalk, Co Louth, said she took up running in her forties and hasn’t stopped since.
And far from being ready to retire, the superfit 72-year-old is aiming to clock up another 200 marathons over the next three years.
The mum-of-five told the Irish Sunday Mirror: “I was actually hoping to complete my 800th marathon in 2020 but the pandemic started.
“I did the last few to bring it up to 800 during a UK event of 12 marathons in 12 days at Easter.
“My goal now is to complete 1,000 marathons, but I don’t know what my
Running is great for the mind, I have solved many problems out on the roads COLLETTE O’HAGAN YESTERDAY
body will be like at that time. At the moment, I think I can go on forever but nobody knows what’s around the corner.
“I’m still lashing them out though now and love it.”
Collette has covered a mindboggling 33,600km to date – not counting her training – and holds the female record for both UK and Ireland for marathon running.
The grandmother-of-ten is encouraging others to take up the sport and insisted it’s never too late to start.
She said: “I have upped the number I have been doing over the last few years but that’s due to the availability of marathons.
“There wasn’t the availability of marathons that there are now when I first started running in my forties.
“At the time there were two in Ireland and I had to do a huge amount of travelling then across Europe for others and also America.
“I have seen a lot of the world which I wouldn’t have done if it was not for doing marathons.
“I think if you keep exercising and keep your body in reasonable shape it’s very good for you.” And she told how hitting the roads is also good for your mental health.
Collette added: “It’s so great for the mind. I have solved so many problems out on those roads.
“It’s ‘me’ time when your mind is allowed to focus on certain things. It’s brilliant therapy.
“It’s also great craic and you make so many friends along the way too.”
But there is one marathon on her bucket list Collette is determined to do before she hangs up her trainers.
She said: “I would absolutely love to do Cape Town in South Africa. That’s the one I would like to do if I can.”
Collette told how the support of her family over the years has been amazing. She added: “I have 10 grandkids and they are all very proud of me.
“They probably think I’m like super nana, telling their teachers in school about me.
“My own kids used to do that when they were young.”
news@irishmirror.ie