Local man takes up marathon challenge

MAGHERAHONEY man, Paul Glackin, is set to deliver on his new year resolution of running the Lifestyle Sports-adidas Dublin Marathon, having been selected as one of twelve first time runners from around the country that made the cut for the 2010 Lifestyle Sports-adidas Dublin Marathon "Virgin" team.
By The Newsroom
Published 29th Apr 2010, 11:33 BST

Glackin was picked from over 1,000 entries from across the country by the expert running panel from the Dublin Marathon. “We wanted a team of first time runners” said Race Director Jim Aughney

“But it was important for us that the team members were committed to the challenge ahead of them, and had a good degree of base fitness, Paul ticked all the right boxes, and we are delighted to have him onboard”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Paul met his fellow team members for the first time at an induction session with the marathon experts who, over the next six months, will guide them safely over the race finish line. Aughney talked the team through the mental and physical challenges of the 26.2 mile course, and they took part in work shops on nutrition, physical conditioning and injury prevention.

“My previous running experience has been limited to training for and taking part in the Belfast Marathon relay completing a leg as part of a 5 person team,” said Paul.

“I am currently all out of fitness but being chosen as a member of the Virgin Marathon team has given me the motivation to get out and active again. (At my current top speed I have calculated my time should be 8:51:07!!!) Watching competitors cross the finish line in the marathon and seeing their exhilaration (maybe its sheer relief) at having completed it has made it a long term goal to complete the 26 miles.”

The first challenge facing the Virgin Dozen is the Lifestyle Sports-adidas Irish 5 mile Challenge Runner Challenge on the 17th of July in the Phoenix Park. The five mile will serve as a barometer of their progress ahead of the successive 10 mile and Half- Marathon Races in the Series.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Speaking at the team announcement Race Director Jim Aughney said: “We were delighted with the response to the appeal for first time runners in January. It will take the full commitment and dedication each member of the team to get them over the line but you really can’t replicate the feeling of elation that you get when you cross the finish line of your first marathon. It will be tough, no question, but we will give them every support we can to get them there”

First time runners can get great support through running groups around the country, or we have comprehensive training programmes on www.dublinmarathon.ie and support on www.facebook.com.dublinmarathon

The 2010 Lifestyle Sports- adidas Dublin Marathon “Virgins” team are: Paul Glackin, Donal Ryan, Louise Rafferty, Glen Johnson, Joanne Connolly, Gillian McCarthy, Sara Cahill, Lisa Fallon, Sheena Mitchell, Jamie Gorman, Niamh Stephenson and Catherine Fox.