Brewing up a Storm in Dublin

45th Irish Life Dublin City Marathon

IT was a very early start for both competitors and supporters alike on Sunday Morning as they departed Newry at 05:45 in the teeth of Storm Boleo, writes Una Campbell.

Even with the hour going back as ‘timewise’ winter began, there was very little shuteye. As any of us who have taken part in a race know, but particularly a marathon or half marathon pre-race excitement and apprehension combine, with adrenaline simmering leading to very disturbed sleep. With that all important and necessary ‘Applegreen’ stop done, it was not long until the famous Dublin Red skyline was in focus, and with just a short journey left before they were disembarking as they all made their way to the ‘bag drop’, and with one last minute check that they had gels, warm clothing etc., done, they knew the next time they got sight of their baggage, would be with that all important and well-earned medal around their neck as they completed the 45th Irish Life Dublin City Marathon.

There were five waves this year: Wheelchair at 8:40am Wave 1 (Orange Wave) 8:45am, Wave 2 (Green Wave) 9:05am, Wave 3 (Blue Wave) 09:25 and Wave 4 (Purple Wave) 9:45am.

Time was not long creeping round to 08:45 and thereafter each 20-minutes sped by like seconds.

Starting on Leeson Street the first mile or so was more or less flat, the congestion at this stage helped with pacing, not going out too hard, but getting into a rhythm. Passing Stephen’s Green, they dropped down to the Liffey, running alongside it for a bit before taking a right across ‘O’Donovan Rossa Bridge’ to the North Side. It was here that they were met with the first major drag of the course as they ran through Smithfield. At the top of this climb they took a left down North Circular Road towards Phoenix Park.

With over three-miles under their belts they entered the Park weaving their way around Dublin Zoo and headed for Chesterfield Avenue, where there was another climb, not only that but there was no shelter from the wind. After the last push out of Castleknock there was some relief as they hit the longest downhill of the course, though tough on the quads as it is quite steep, they had to remind themselves to pull back slightly and not go too crazy.

Heading back into Phoenix Park the route became undulating with a lot of up and down roads.

The steepest hill of the course came after this as they headed back out and through Kilmainham Jail bringing them to about mile ten.

With the first half under their belts, they had conquered the tougher of the two halves, with more hills and especially as they were running into the wind for the majority. However, they then had to face a long drag all the way up to Walkinstown Roundabout after which there was a good flat section, some relief with the wind on their backs, they were able to run at pace. Veering right they had one small drag they were into another good downhill section, giving all a chance to recover slightly and get back into a rhythm.

It was not too long before they were heading toward the last hill of the course. Having completed a gradual climb through Clonskeagh they found themselves going round UCD to tackle the long drag known as Heartbreak Hill. Just at end Roebuck Road coming onto the junction to turn onto Fosters Avenue. Whilst not the steepest hill (about 10-15 metres total elevation) it is where it is on the course (roughly mile 22) and the effort already left on the road and earlier hills that is the killer.

With a drop down onto Fosters Avenue, they turned onto Nutley Lane with a downhill onto Merrion Road, where it flattened out, with just under 2.5 miles to the finish line. At this point the legs are so exhausted the flat road is not noticed as every fibre and sinew in the legs are burning, but somehow with that last turn onto the blue carpet, each and every one of the crew had the energy to gather momentum and sprint across the final timing mat!

A total of 19 from the club took on the Marathon and indeed, it was a case of ‘they came and they conquered, with the winds incredibly strong, they faced it and pushed through it, each ‘brewing up a storm, their own storm’ in Dublin. The wind had remained unrelenting throughout, not only incredibly strong, but biting cold too, with just relief in a few short sections.

First home for the Club was Conor Morgan in a very swift 2:47:19 (PB of 5:41 mins), Ruairi Donnelly was next, another sub-3, he finished in 2:54:46, Cathal Mulholland 2:58:18 (PB of 1:12 mins) and Tomas Magill 2:59:29.

Stephen McAteer was next in 3:06:05, Anthony Morgan running his first marathon 3:18:29, Colm Cunningham 3:25:54, Paul O’Brien 3:26:55 and David Morgan 3:27:02. Shane Cassidy shaved 3:21 mins off his time to finish in 3:39:16 and Ally McKenzie 3:45:20. Michael O’Neill 3:51:01, Cillian Ward, running his first marathon 4:06:08, David Toner 4:07:10 and James O’Hagan 4:07:48.

Ciara McCaffrey 4:18:07 (PB) shaving 2:02 minutes off her time, Gemma Blackadder took a massive 19:38 mins off to finish with a new PB of 4:19:52, Peter Maguire 4:39:02 and Lorcan Magee, finished in 4:58:31.

A special mention to the Support Crew who all weathered the storm too, giving that much needed and appreciated support along the route, to Paul O'Brien for booking the bus, Karen McElroy for taking charge and ensuring all arrived in good time and got home safely and to Grange Bus Hire and our driver Michael for a superb service, prompt, swift and friendly.

Parkruns

With Storm Boleo resulting in most local Parkruns being cancelled, some of our members were lucky to be find Parkruns further afield.

Father Collins Parkrun: Hayley and Stephen McAteer were down in Dublin on Saturday for the Dublin Marathon, so Hayley availed of the Father Collins Parkrun, to add another to her list, and completed it in 20:35.

Castle Woods Parkrun: Ruth Black was over in Scotland at the weekend with the intention of taking on the challenging Illuminator Run, however, due to the storm it was cancelled for safety reasons. However, she was able to take part in Castle Woods Parkrun and completed the course in a time of 30:20.

Training: Club Training continues each week St Colman’s Running Track on Tuesday evening at 7pm. Thursday evening club meeting point is outside The Quays in Newry at 17pm and it is a run for all levels; all are very welcome.