Bound for New York marathon
TWO local women will be travelling to the US next week to take part in the world’s largest marathon - the New York Marathon. Aishling Cawley and Jill Cullen, who both work in the Oncology unit at Sligo University Hospital, are jetting off to the Big Apple next Friday ( November 4) for the 26 mile race. They will be running the marathon in aid of Cystic Fibrosis Ireland and have already raised more than € 9k for the charity.
While Aishling is something of a veteran to athletics, this will be Jill’s first ever marathon having only taken up running two years ago. She said: “The preparation has been difficult between work and family, but it’s not every day you get an opportunity like this one. I have a very laid back attitude and any opportunities that come my way I try to grab with both hands.”
Jill, who is the Manager at the Oncology y unit, is originally from Newcastle but moved to Sligo nine years ago. She added that running has impacted both her physical and mental well- being for the better. “I feel like a new person and I’ve lost a lot of weight since I started running. My favourite time to run is actually in the mornings before work as the fresh air is amazing for stress levels.
“I am possibly the least competitive person in the world which people might think is strange when I’m running the New York Marathon!”
Joining her is Aishling, originally from Rathanna, Pearse Road but living in Strandhill. Unlike Jill, she joined Sli- go Athletic Club when she was 12- years- old and has been running competitively ever since. She will be returning to the US city for the first time in nearly 20 years having lived there for four years previously. “I’m very excited to go back,” she said. When I lived in New York I tried numerous times to get into the marathon but was unsuc- cessful cessful, so it’s fantastic t to finally get the chance after all of these years.”
Despite training hard herself to get fit for the race, Aishling has constant praise for her partner Jill, who she coaxed into running the marathon last Christmas. “About two years ago Jill came to me and said that she wished was able to run. The first time she came out onto the track with me I could tell she was going to keep it up. You can always tell who is going to keep running by their attitude.” Jill said: “I can remember it well and being delighted with myself for making it to 2k, but now I can easily run 20k.”
The pair also took part in the Great North Run, the biggest half marathon in the world with more than 57 thousand competitors. While Jill raised money for autism that time, this time they will both be running for Cystic Fibrosis Ireland. They wished to thank both their colleagues and the patients at the Oncology Unit who have provided great moral support and have donated to the cause. The New York Marathon takes place Sunday, November 6. More than 50 thousand people are expected to take part.