This year saw 16 Fit4Lifers taking on this epic challenge with some doing it for the first time as they got absorbed into the great achievements of the class of 2015. We have others, who after their previous year’s escapades, came back for more, seeking to emulate or beat their previous year’s accomplishments. If last Saturday’s last long run which has now become a tradition of ‘Coffee and Cake Saturday’ was anything to go by, Sunday’s atmosphere was always going to be electric and it was. In the weeks leading up to 30th October, Alan and Mick were hoping to appease any nerves or trepidations about the event but early on they realised any attempts would be futile as this group were as relaxed as Coach Gannon at his weekly barber’s appointment.
In the weeks prior to the race and on the morning itself there were smiles and laughter with a bond worthy of any winning team fueled by friendship, comradeship and desire for themselves and each other to achieve on the big day. This group has trained for months with each other through sun, wind, rain and Lyndon’s bad jokes. Indeed as stated by Alan & Mick, this is one infectious group who are a great inspiration to all around them. Their enthusiasm and energy was contagious and indeed all club members taking on the 26.2 would gain from being around them. The effort and commitment to train for a marathon is not easy and this group have matched the required dedication and obtained their rewards for their endeavours on Sunday.
Coach Gary O’Hanlon led the way, as he tends to do, running a stormer in 2.22.50, despite picking up a serious looking injury just 4 miles in. Cheering on the sidelines, we never would have guessed. He was fourth Irishman and first in his category. What would he have done on two good legs? Get well soon Gary!
Ana Quigley started out with Clare Bexon and Sam Hamilton, all three making their marathon debuts. Clare and Sam eventually persuaded Ana to push on as they suspected she was itching to take off, and we suspect they wanted to talk about her behind her back. Later on at the 20 mile mark, we feared Ana had lost her hearing, and possibly her marbles too, but her Spanish amigo Oihana kept her sane. Ana told us she struggled a bit at the end but got a second wind from Daddy and Daddy with their chants of “Ariba! Ariba! Andale!” with a mile to go. Fair play for breaking the sound barrier lads!
Clare and Sam stuck together throughout the 26.2 miles, probably complaining about Ana for at least half of those. Only joking, of course they didn’t! Sam had bigger fish to fry and was mostly complaining about Geoff, a self-confessed pesky Senior, who will be delighted with this nod! Clare had battled injury in the lead up to the marathon but was determined to see it through, not least because she was fundraising for Coisceim, the Special Needs Unit where she teaches. Hats off Clare on a very determined performance, with less than ideal preparation, and to your cheery Scottish companion Sam, who has matched your determination and dedication this year. We can imagine that this has been an emotional journey and 26 miles for you on Sunday Sam.
Angela Egan and Noel Leddy covered the early miles together before Angela pushed on. So much for helping the frail little lady on the road, eh Noel? Angela made her debut at the Manchester Marathon earlier this year and got interviewed by acclaimed UK athlete Katharine Merry on the TV highlights show. How would she top that? By taking a 7 minute chunk out of her time, on a much, much tougher course, that’s how! This woman gets faster and seemingly younger with every year. The sign on her back that read “Eat my dust, youngsters!” whilst a tad arrogant, was undeniably true!
But Noel got over his hurt feelings, and ploughed on fearlessly to complete his first marathon in considerable style. Noel, joined our C25K programme last year, and in 2016 he has stepped up to almost every challenge the club has offered; distance running, DA’Camp, volunteering, shot putt and javelin throwing. A certain sprinting coach is probably rubbing his hands reading this, in the barbers. Stay strong Noel!
Ann Garrett and Olywen Read travelled together in the early stages of the race before parting company to chart their own courses. Ann had been there, done that and got the t-shirt last year. She’s a tough cookie at the best of times, and the experience really stood to her, as she ran a strong race and bagged herself a very impressive PB. Olywen, a relative newbie to the club who, like Noel, hasn’t shirked from any challenge this year, was taking on her first marathon and she absolutely aced it. She didn’t put a foot wrong until the closing stages when she blanked Daddy and Daddy for a hug and chose her family instead, instantly finding herself expelled from the Believe and Achieve group. We live and learn!
Bernie O’Connor was taking on her second marathon, having finished last year’s marathon with a smile that Daddy & Daddy feared might well require surgery to remove. She aced it yet again, benefitting from Hilary and Shea’s scintillating company for much of the way and still inflicted with last year’s smile. Mick reports that Bernie was highly anticipating her trip to Slevins later that night. He assumed it was for the “gargle” as he called it, but Bernie heard the widow Murphy would be wearing an even fancier blouse to the pub this year to celebrate his/her 10th Dublin Marathon in a row, and she wouldn’t miss that for the world. Congratulations Mick on a great race and thanks for dressing more appropriately this year.
Our two leading ladies, Jackie Brannigan, taking on her second marathon, and Siobhan Campbell, taking on her first, decided to buddy up for the 26.2 miles and it seemed to work a treat for them. They were like poster girls for “fun-running” the marathon, achieving amazing times of 4.17 that belied the broad grins and effortless style they portrayed in the photos; a 20 minute PB for Jackie and a stunning debut for Siobhan. Take a bow ladies on those super times! Is it wrong to hope they were grimacing away from the cameras?
Training buddies Hilary Madden and Shea McGovern also ran the entire 26.2 companionably and for the second time and seemed to be in similar form to Jackie and Siobhan throughout. Hilary had an altercation with a pothole early on and like Gary O, she toughed it out like a trooper. She was escorted across the finish line by her proud son. Shea’s son opted to join the celebrations with a photobomb instead. It’s like they’re Fit4Lifers in training!
Congratulations to Alan McKernan on making the Irish Times photo gallery alongside Kevin and Donal. He was almost as delighted to make the papers as Kevin and Donal were mortified to be seen with him.
Daddy and Daddy, one of the many names their mentors have acquired, stayed on after their own races to observe all finishing and again were blown away with the smiles and energy on all their faces and the look of achievement as they made their way to the finish line. They are still perplexed as to where Lisa Lord found a beauticians en-route her first marathon as they witnessed her 400M from the finishing line, looking pristine and unblemished as the 26 miles literally took nothing from her, while her husband Paul stood proud and emotional as he embraced Lisa before she ran elegantly to the finishing line. With such poise, Lisa is now a contender to be the face of Alan’s new brand #S250 #berlin. Watch this space!
Lyndon Showpony Thomas had his fastest mile completed before the race even started as he made a dash towards the start line in a bid to trot solo, free of his Fit4Life buddies. “Nothing personal, just business!” said our very own Welsh purebred. “Did you know I raced against Mo Farah in the World Half Marathon Championships in Cardiff earlier this year?” “Eh, yeah, you did mention it Lyndon, and we suspect it wasn’t nearly as close as you describe!” Lyndon trotted his way to an epic time on his second marathon outing.
Paul Gorey, part-time Fit4Life coach, part-time Fit4Lifer, part-time Senior, fully committed clubman clocked a fantastic 3.48.20. He did confess to having between 50 and 60 marathons under his belt, so we guess he’s learned a thing or two along the way. Well done Paul!
2016 club joiner Sam Anshasi clocked a super 4.17.24. We think he’s done this before. Great muscle-memory combined with dedicated training. Congrats Sam! Here’s to many more with Dunboyne AC.
Huge thanks to the many supporters en route who shortened the long journey and all the well wishers at the club and on Facebook. Congratulations to our Senior clubmates on their great performances. Many thanks to our Fit4Life coaches Paul Gannon and Gary O’Hanlon for their care and attention week-in, week-out and to the subs’ bench also. Special thanks to Daddy & Daddy, Alan and Mick, for their endless distance support, helping our gang to Believe and Achieve a wonderful feat!
Thanks to Daddy and Daddy for their input to this Fit4Life report. They wrote the insulting and offensive parts, in case you’re wondering, and yes, they love referring to themselves in the third person. As Mick put it “There’s only an inch or two between a pat on the back and a slap on the a*se!” Basically, take all the false accusations and abuse as a token of our affection for you!
A marathon is a tough task to take on and one that requires severe commitment but it is achievable with hard work which this group exudes. Well done to each and every one of these Fit4Lifers and we applaud their infectious nature as they inspire all around them including their running colleagues in both their own Fit4Life group and their very impressed senior colleagues. Over 26 miles a lot can happen as runners have waves of feeling good and suffering, but to see these runners finishing together too is a testament to the hidden club ethos of us all being a team who work with and for each other.
Our Fit4Lifers are always more hellbent on having a good time than they are on necessarily doing a good time. As you will see from the impressive times below, our lot juggled both rather successfully. Well done folks, you did us all proud!
Thanks to the many photographers like Claire Clifford whose fab photos can be viewed here on Flickr, Rob Webb’s photos on Flickr too and Oihana Trojaola’s on FB
| Name | Time |
| Ana Quigley | 05:06:00 |
| Angela Egan | 05:07:00 |
| Ann Garrett | 04:32:15 |
| Bernadette O Connor | 04:52:05 |
| Clare Bexon | 05:27:13 |
| Gary O’Hanlon | 02:22:50 |
| Hilary Madden | 04:45:07 |
| Jackie Brannigan | 04:17:33 |
| Lisa Lord | 04:47:35 |
| Lyndon Thomas | 04:26:37 |
| Noel Leddy | 05:27:43 |
| Olywen Read | 04:48:57 |
| Paul Gorey | 03:48:20 |
| Sam Anshasi | 04:17:24 |
| Sarah Marie Hamilton | 05:27:11 |
| Shea Mc Govern | 04:45:09 |
| Siobhan Campbell | 04:17:34 |
