Ballymore Cobh AC – Dublin City Marathon Report

A testing course, blustery winds and an unusually high humidity reading for late October were just some of the factors competitors in last weekend’s Dublin City Marathon faced up to, as close to 15,000 people took part in the 35th renewal of the event.

Ballymore Cobh AC were represented in the nations capital by a thirteen strong group of athletes, who all faced up to the challenge with towering
levels of commitment and courage.

For competitors and a loyal band of traveling supporters, the full gamut of emotions was experienced with varying levels of satisfaction taken from each owns individual performance.

When all is said and done, the marathon is the ultimate running experience and to simply be amongst those to have made it through the grueling preparation for the race is an achievement in itself.

Trevor Cummins (3.06.35) was the first in black and yellow to make it over the finish line, albeit a little wearily, after a valiant attempt at a sub three hour effort was narrowly missed.

Next through was the brilliant Orla O’Rourke (3.30.49) who continues to excel over the 26.2mile test, this being her ninth marathon. Just one more for the perfect ten, and no one would doubt her making it to double figures.

Fiona O’Sullivan Downey (3.43.37) served up a performance to be hugely proud of, with a rousing finish to complete the last 800m at close to full tilt.

Sinead Daly (3.59.06) and Terry Murphy (3.59.14) were superb in achieving their season long goal of a sub four hour marathon, the latter named overcoming a last minute injury scare in the build up to the big day.

Majella Tarbatt (4.09.48) surpassed even her own expectations with a huge run and it was made all the sweeter for her having also been troubled with injuries during training.

James Donovan (4.13.33) ran with great credit in this his first marathon appearance and, as always, he came away from the race with a smile on his face, the sign of a happy and content runner.

Deirdre Meyer (4.20.48) was another to produce a superb effort on the day, putting to one side the disappointment endured by her partner, Shane, who due to a last minute injury was unable to compete.

Similar to other injury stricken club mates, Donal Downey and Carl Pender, their big day has merely been pushed to a later date as opposed to being cancelled altogether.

Tom O’Riordan (4.22.52) may have missed out on his sub four hour goal but on reflection can still be rightly proud of his efforts on a day which saw many casualties.

A back injury carried into the race hampered Stephen Pender (4.31.23) in going for the jugular but on a day when the strongest suffered, he also will look back on his effort with pride and no doubt, like Tom, will return for some unfinished business in time to come.

Jennifer Meade (4.38.22) and Malcolm Meade (4.38.26) showed a hugely admiral sense of unity to go over the line together and can look back on a season that has seen them both enjoy great leaps in progress.

Kevin Jones took bravery to another level by battling on from the half way point while feeling faint and unwell. The hard but sensible decision was taken by Kevin to risk no more than his pride and he wisely called time on his effort close to the 23mile mark.

A week previously, Kevin O’Keeffe (4.18.31) toed the line for his third marathon with the hat-trick being completed on the flat lands of Amsterdam.

All of these athletes will now enjoy some well deserved rest and can look back on each of their efforts with great pride, safe in the knowledge they carried the club colours with distinction.

Finally, a thank you must go to everyone who supported our fourteen marathon runners, both on and off the course, in the lead up and on the big day itself. A special word of appreciation to the families of those who took part, as they made many sacrifices for the sake of their loved ones.