Sean Connolly made a welcome return to road running at the Tallaght 5-Mile last Sunday, winning in a course record time of 24 mins 11 secs.
Earlier his year, Connolly ran a personal best of 2 hrs 16 mins 42 secs for the marathon in Rotterdam, narrowly missing out on a place at the Olympics. It had been his second attempt at qualification – in Dublin last October, he was first Irishman home but his time was a disappointing 2:18.52.
He made up for it with a series of fine track performances over the summer, in particular a personal best of 28:36.17 for 10,000 at the UK Trails last August.
Since taking the American scholarship route and coming home injured, Connolly’s career has had its ups and downs, but he is now settled in the north of England, where he works as a primary school teacher.
Although he trains with his local club in the UK, he remains a stanch member of Tallaght AC and a strong supporter of the Marathon Mission.
“Standards are improving and I think more distance runners will turn to the marathon. A time of 27 minutes for the 10,000m is out of reach for most of us but the marathon standards of 2 hours 15 minutes for men and 2 hours 35 minutes for women are attainable for those who want to compete internationally. They can fit only so many in a 10,000m on the track, but they can take a hundred in a marathon, which means we have more of a chance.”
The focus provided by the Marathon Mission and the team of coaches led by Dick Hooper is paying off. “As recently as five years ago, not a single Irish man was breaking 2 hours 20 minutes for the marathon, but last year, Mark Kenneally ran 2:13.55 and another five or so were under 2 hours 20 minutes, while four women made the Olympic A standard.”
After a short break over the past few months, Connolly won’t be running Dublin this year. He is looking forward to a spring marathon. “I’m not a big fan of cross-country, so over the winter, I’ll do a few road races. The Great South Run is next up for me.”
First woman in Tallaght was Orla Drumm of Crusaders in 28 mins 11 secs.
Thomas Frazer of St Malachy’s ran a personal best 2 hrs 18 mins 37 secs at the Chicago Marathon last weekend. Last month, Frazer won the Chicago Half Marathon in 67 mins 12 secs.
Aged 31, Frazer has lived in the USA with his family for some years. His previous best for the marathon was 2:19.42 and, earlier this year, he ran 2:19.58 in Rotterdam.
Also abroad, Paul Pollock, who makes his marathon debut in Dublin clocked a time of 65 mins 38 mins for 34th place at the World Half Marathon Championships in Bulgaria. At the Boston Half Marathon, Alistair Cragg finished fifth in 64 mins 10 secs – some way off his Irish record of 60 mins 49 secs.
A pair of Raheny Simons finished first and third at Simon 5-Mile Fun run in Dublin’s Phoenix Park. Simon Ryan led home an entry of 1,987 in a time of 25 mins 22 secs and was comfortably clear of Gary Hynes. His Raheny clubmate Simon Reede finished third. Hannah Brooks was first woman in 27.58, with Moynalvy’s Sarah Treacy a close second.
Elish Kelly of Raheny Shamrock ran 36 mins 18 secs to finish first woman and sixth overall at the Grange 10km in Sligo, where Sligo’s Emmett Dunleavy was the men’s winner in 31 mins 50 secs. Breege Connolly of North Belfast Harriers won the RunHer 10km at Stormont in an untroubled 37 mins 26 secs.
Barry Minnock of Rathfarnham WSAF not only organised the Athlone 3/4 Marathon but won it! His time of 1 hrs 47 mins 7 secs put him 49 seconds ahead of Gary O’Hanlon of Clonliffe, last year’s winner. Mary Laverty of North East Runners was first woman in 2:14.36. A day earlier, O’Hanlon had finished fifth behind his Clonliffe clubmate Sergiu Ciobanu at the Galway Bay Half Marathon.
Sandis Bralitis of West Waterford had a good win at the Cork to Cobh “15”, with his time of 79 mins 31secs putting him almost three minutes ahead of his clubmate Raivis Zakis. Claire Gibbons-MacCarthy was an equally emphatic winner of the women’s race.
GAA clubs organising road races are taking a bit of stick these days but some deserve lots of credit. High on the list of best small races in the country is the Tarmonbarry Half Marathon in Co Roscommon, organised by St Barry’s GAA Club and taking place for a 29th year on Sunday. With a nice course on quiet country roads, legendary post-race refreshments and a reasonable entry fee of €30, this race has gained a loyal following among athletics club members.
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