(Thanks to Ana Quigley for this report)
And we were on the road again. This time we went to Longwood to run the Irish ¾ Marathon. Previous years was in Athlone but this year they moved it to Longwood.
The day was perfect weather wise, a bit cool in the morning but very soon you get warmed up.
There were 3 from the Seniors and 9 from F4L. Of course Gary O’Hanlon was there, we always meet him at all races, I think he is stalking us ;o)))))
Gerry O’Reilly, Gerard Plante and Geoff Hamilton from the Seniors and from Fit4life Clare Bexon, Jackie Branningan, Paul da Silveira, Angela Egan, Paul Gorey, Sam Hamilton, Hilary Madden, Shea McGovern and Ana Quigley. This was our last ran before the Dublin Marathon.
The organization was fantastic, we have never seen anything like it. When we arrived to Longwood, cars were split depending on number of occupants. If it was a single car, one car park and if it was a group at the GAA grounds by start line. How clever were we… Angela drove Clare, Sam, Geoff and Ana. Shea drove Jackie and Hilary who arrived with cappuccinos and croissants. (ahem, no comment to that).
We checked our number and got in line to get the bib and then the t-shirt and a pair of running socks. The t-shirt was a wee bit small in comparison to other races but they were really nice, purple for ladies and blue for gentlemen. Sam is modelling one in one of the pictures and PG1 the blue one in another. And a pair or running socks too!
We met Paul Gorey and got a group photo. Paul Gorey, once again, like a celebrity, met someone who was really delighted to see him, as you do, but this was delaying our photoshoot and our photographer was getting a bit impatient ;o))) Paul was there with his running buddy Philip Mahony.
We met Paul Da Silveira (aka Aussie Paul) and we headed over the Start line.
I believe there was around 1000 people in the race. The atmosphere was fantastic! And at 10.10 more or less we started.
As I mentioned the weather could not have been better… the road was not bad until the last 7km. Country roads, lots of turns, great views, a lot of people supporting and cheering, all the houses had someone out for cheers and high-fives!
Every 4 miles or so there was a water station… listen to this… water cups OR small bottles OR big bottles!, orange segments, bananas, fruit cake and portaloos in all of them. The volunteers at water stations were really nice and supportive.
There was a lot of chat during the race, I guess mostly at the back. Everyone asking if it was the first time we were doing the marathon… everyone assumed we were doing the race because of that AND it was their first one too. Noone had times in mind, just to finish.
The last 7km had hills, it was not an ‘incline or a drag’ anymore however I believe Hilary and Shea decided to sprint on the hills…
With 3 or 4k to go, Lyndon was there to cheer for us. Such a boost of energy! Everyone who has done a marathon before in Dublin they all talk about the amazing support along the way, and when you meet a familiar face it is a great feeling and keeps you going for a bit more! Thanks Lyndon! We were all delighted to see you!
At the Finish line there were lots of people, we got our medals and more orange and bananas, and water. It was so appreciated to have all that.
The spread at the GAA was fantastic!
We all had our session of leg drains, stretches, a lot of chat … some people took the race as a race, others are long slow run, others started as LSR and moved to race but …..
We all did it, we were all delighted! A huge boost of confidence now for Marathon. Overall for the novices. We can do this! Bring it on!!!!!!
Oh, by the way… Gary won… as he does!
Thanks to Peter Mooney’s photos on his page : https://www.flickr.com/photos/peterm7/albums/72157673672195732
And lots of pictures as well in the Outfront facebook page.
| Name | Chip Time |
| Ana Quigley | 3:38:53 |
| Angela Egan | 3:47:19 |
| Clare Bexon | 3:59:03 |
| Gary O’Hanlon | 1:45:54 |
| Geoff Hamilton | 2:44:29 |
| Gerard Plante | 2:44:20 |
| Gerry O’Reilly | 2:10:26 |
| Hilary Madden | 3:30:12 |
| Jackie Brannigan | 3:06:13 |
| Paul Gorey | 2:41:45 |
| Paul Da silveira | 3:30:14 |
| Sam Hamilton | 3:59:03 |
| Shea McGovern | 3:30:16           |
