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MARATHON SPECIAL Interview with top American Marathon Runner BILL ROGERS. Expert advice on Marathon preparation. Interview with Irish Marathon Champion DICK HOOPER Expert advice on RUNNING INJURIES Results and fixtures Guide to RTE RADIO 2 DUBLIN CITY MARATHON COURSE .Irish RUNNER

Congratulates

★★★ EAMONN COGHLAN ★ ★★

on his

World Cup 5000m Victory in Rome September 1981 Irish Runner 3 % Irish RUNNER Contents Vol.1 NO. 3

Readers Letters ...... 4 MARATHON COUNTDOWN Bill Rogers Interview ...... 6 We are happy to bring you this Marathon Special Issue of Irish Marathon Advice by Noel Runner. Marathon Monday draws nearer every day and we hope H e n r y ...... 10 that our readers may find some of the articles in this issue of Mary Walsh Feature ...... 12 benefit to them in their preparation for the big day. Running In ju rie s...... 14 We carry two interviews in this issue with two leading marathon Dick Hooper Interview ...... 18 i runners..... Bill Rogers, the great American Marathon man and Business H o u se s...... 22 Dick Hooper who won the RTE Radio 2 Dublin City Marathon last Guide to Marathon Course . . 24 year. We hope that our readers gain an insight through reading Results and Fixtures ...... 26 these interviews as to what makes these great runners Win. The Road Runner...... 28 Everyone who finishes the October Marathon will be a winner, as Marathon Organisation ...... 30 the sense of achievement will more than compensate for all the hard slog of mileage over the past several months. It is the aim of Irish Runner to foster and encourage the • Editor tremendous interest that is evident in running and jogging inthis Frank Greally country. We would hope that our readers will continue to train during the Winter months and we will be keeping you up to date • Production Editor with all the latest happenings in the Running world during this Len Williams period. • Associate Editors Irish Runner has been appointed as the Official Media to carry Neil Cusack the FULL RESULTS of the RTE Radio 2 Dublin City Marathon and Michael Joyce we plan to make this a bumper issue and a collectors item. We will carry an extensive report of the race and the Results Issue • Photography will also carry lots of photographs and features. Order your copy Brian Tansey today to avoid disappointment. • Contributors The Editor of Irish Runner will not be competing in the marathon Jim Dowling this year but he has made a firm committment to getting back to John P. Keane full fitness for next year's event. (He still holds the Irish Junior Dave Dempsey 10,000 metres record set in 1970.) You can follow his progress in Dr. Barra O Tuama a column called The Long Road Back To Fitness' starting in the Fr. Liam Kelleher next issue. To all of you who have put in the work over the past months we • Advertising wish you a good run on the big day. We look forward to meeting as Marian Greally many of our readers as possible on the day of the race and we would like to take this opportunity to say well done to all who are involved in the promotion of this great event. Athletic Publications Ltd. P.O. Box No. 1227, Dublin 8. Good Luck to you all on Oct. 26th Telephone 01-751665 Editor. Typesetting General Typesetting Ltd. 01942751 POST TODAY Printed by Kilkenny People Please send the next 6 copies of Irish Runner to: Destributed by Newspread Ltd. N am e...... A ddress ...... Cover Dick Hooper winning the Wexford Enclosed find cheque/P.O. □ half marathon....his last race before defending his RTE Radion • ,£4.00 covers all costs including Irish Runner, 2 Dublin City Marathon Title. P.O. Box No. 1227 Photo: Brian Tansey. postage and packaging. Dublin 8. No part of this magazine may be used or reproduced Note: We regret cover price increase. This is due to V.A.T. without the express permission of the editor or publishers, and even if such permission is given, the increase and increased colour production costs. source must be acknowledged when used. 4 Irish Runner

Dear Editor, The editorial in your second issue had three different versions of the title of the Dear Sir, RTE Radio 2 Dublin City Marathon, so I As it is not possible tothankeveryone thought I'd drop you a line with the right individually, may we through your version! RUNNERS! columns thank all the officials who I'm delighted to see that you're carrying helped at the Omega League and Tissot a special preview of the event in the When in Cork on Trophy meetings through-out the September edition. We in Radio 2 are season. proud that the idea which we launched ★ Business A special word of thanks to the "current last year has taken off in such an athletes" who officiated at the League amazing way. Every success to the new ★ Vacation Finals. Their help enabled us to magazine and Radio 2 hopes to see all or just passing through organise a successful meeting. your readers in St. Stephen's Green on Marathon Monday, October 26th. With renewed thanks, Sincerely, Yours sincerely, The Imperial Hotel B. King S.M. Louis Hogan, Asst. Controller of Programmes, offers you the best in Kay Guy, Joint Co-ordinators, RADIO 2. good food and Omega League/Tissot Trophy. Dear Sir, Accommodation I have just received the first issue of Dear Sir, Irish Runner from a friend. I find it very Congratulations on a fine publication, interesting and helpful in my training. I Manager: Dermot Kelly it has been long overdue, keep up the hope that you will keep up the good good work. We've got plenty of talent to work on it. fill the pages. Yours sincerely, Yours in Sport, John O'Brien, Thomas Martin, Ballinavana, Stradone Street, Kilmallock, Ballyjamesduff, Co. Limerick. Co. Cavan. Dear Sir, Dear Sir, Could you please send me the next six Please send me the next six copies of issues of Irish Runner as I thoroughly Irish Runner to the above address. I enjoyed No. 2 which I spotted in a local hear it has been very well received. shop. I enclose a postal order of three Congratulations on your efforts to date pounds to you. and good luck in the future. Your sincerely, Sincerely, Anthony Cahalane, William Bolster, Edencurra, 34 Archer's Cresent, Dunmanway, Loughboy, Co. Cork. Kilkenny. Dear Sir, While in holiday in Ireland I was Dear Sir, delighted to discover Irish Runner. I May I add my congratulations, - your found it a most pleasurable read, and IMPERIAL magazine is a very fine production and indeed very informative. I enjoy the the articles of interest to all athletes. sport of athletics very much, and I would The marvellous interest in the Dublin be grateful if you forward me copies of HOTEL City Marathon prompts me to suggest Irish Runner as a means of keeping in that perhaps this is a good chance to get touch with the Irish scene. friends, to sponsor one with proceeds going to charity, this being the Year of Yours sincerely, the Disabled. J. Quirke, Yours sincerely, London Irish A.C. 59 Ellesmere Road, South Mall Cork Noel P. Henry, Dollis Hill, Clonliffe Harriers A.C. London N.W. 10. Telephone 23304 (4 lines)

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MARATHON 81 SPECIAL Hi ROGERS Bill Rogers is one of the greatest, if not The Greatest, marathon runner in the world today. He first came to prominence when winning the Boston Marathon in 1975 in 2.09.55 and he has won this event on four occasions. He also won most of the World's top prestige marathons such as the Fun oka in Japan and the New York Marathon. Irish Runner is happy to be able to bring Irish runners this interview with Bill Rogers and Dave Dempsey.

Interview given by Bill Rogers to Dave Dempsey, at the Bill Rogers Running Centre, Cleveland Centre, Boston on July 3rd 1981.

Dave: Firstly, Bill, would you like to say our athletes to compete there, so it's up ' had a much tougher time, and I had a hello to some of your friends in Ireland? to all the National Federations! If tough time for a while when I was trying Bill: Yeah! I've known Neil Cusack, athletes from Ireland, from England, to move up, so I'd rather see the rule Louis Kenny, John Treacy. Sweden, West Germany can only kind changed to help our athletes instead of Dave: Have you any plans to race in of stick together and say 'listen' - we having a lot of Federations fighting our Ireland? Would you like to race there? need to have the rules changed to help athletes. Bill: 'Course I would! One of these days I our athletes - to help them to have a Dave: Do you think the athletes want to get over there. I've raced once in better shot at competing and making a appreciate the work you're doing for England, once in Scotland, but I haven't living. You know if the athletes will stick them - by really bringing their cause to travelled that much overseas lately, but together I think we can win on this kind the fore? I would like to some day, yeah! of issue. Bill: I guess some might, but some Dave: I see that you've got plans to head Dave: You really seem to have taken up might say that I don't do it enough forThe Stockholm Marathon this year, the athletes cause here. Even from the (laughing), some might say that I don't is that still on? sketchy reports we get at home you put enough into it - cause I didn't run for Bill: As far as I know it is, unless the really seem to be the one who is fighting money in the first race - The 15KM Athletics Congress, our National everybody's cause. Do you think that Cascade Run Off. I just ran as a so- Federation tries to stop me from going there's some bad feeling against you on called amateur, but I hope that we can 'cause I ran in a prize money race. account of that? work something out, so by our next one I Dave: I just saw that in the papers and can run for the money - over the table. the results were really interesting - how Bill: (Smiling) Like athletes in most Dave: Do you think, then that this is do you think it will work out? countries we've had our backs to the going to be the road racing of the future Bill: I think that for the people who took wall for a long time. You have a tough with the money straight out - without money they may try to stop them from time! Most of the athletes have had a the 'under the table' payments? competing internationally to some tough time making a living and Bill: Sometime it will be like that - more degree. They'll call up other Federations competing- there's a few exceptions - and more! For now - in most races I'm and put pressure on them not to allow myself included, but most of them have sure they'll still pay the athletes 'under Irish Runner 7 the table', like they do all over. But our you know. The competition has gotten tomorrow I'll do much less maybe 5-8 circuit going to be bigger next year, tougher and tougher each year now. miles. If it's a serios race I cut back even about 15 races in 1982. And with Seko coming over that really more. For the marathon I cut back even Dave: Does the fact that the Games capped it off. He's probably the best in more still. were such a mess up last year - does the world for 1981. Dave: For the week before the that affect your attitude to athletics and Dave: Is it because he had two really marathon do you cut right down? taking money? classy 2.09's quite close to one Bill: I start cutting back 3 days before Bill: I'd say there's no question about it, another? the race, Ido maybe two 6 mile runs that because we saw Politicians and various Bill: Yeah! Back to back. day - two days before I go one run; 5 organisations that make up our Dave: Speaking of Seko, what about the miles the day before 3 miles. National Olympic Committee just throw Japanese Fukouka Marathon? Dave: Do you believe in the diet that us down the drain and they're supposed Bill: I don't know if I'm going to go there was so popular a few years ago to fight for us and they went the exact this year or not. I don't know what my amongst Marathoners. Do you use it? opposite way and fought against us! marathon will be like in the Fall. Bill: I don't use the full week long diet. I You know we were just completely just eat carbohydrate dinner two nights used. So I think the athletes kinda see RECOVERY before the race, then I try to get a lot of that they have to stand up for Dave: How long does it take you to rest and lie down a lot. themselves because I can tell you no recover from a marathon, do you Dave: Do you find now that there’s a lot one else will stand up for you. recover pretty fast now that you've run of pressure on your running, now that Dave: Does it still hurt the fact that you so many? everybody wants Bill Rodgers' scalp. didn't get a chance to run in 'The Bill: I recover on a cool weather day BiH: Not really! I think I'm really more Games' last year? much quicker - in about two weeks I'm perceived by the top runners as a guy Bill: Well, it's really strange. The United fairly recovered, three weeks before I who maybe was the real top guy there, States has always backed the Olympics really want to race again. Hot weather but who is now going down a little bit, since the modern Olympics began - but is harder. But I recovered really easy but I think that I can still run with most it was kind of a weird situation. Then on from Boston this year. It was my easiest of the runners in the U.S. and the world the other hand it would have been hot in Boston recovery. It's my old agel at long distances. Moscow and I don't like hot weather Dave: I think it was really a pleasant marathons. They're tough, really Dave: Maybe you're just getting more surprise when you posted a 2.10 here tough, so who knows...... ? used to them! Do you think that 3 or 4 from New York! Dave: Do you think that was a good really serious ones a year is enough - or Bill: New York was frustrating, you result with Ceirpinski first and Nijdor maybe even too much. know, 'cause I thought I could run 2.10 second? Bill: If they're evenly spaced then OK I in New York last year, then when I fell, it Bill: I think it was fantastic racing. think you can do 3 or 4, but I thinkthat's was so hard to try to come back and Ceirpinski is one of the greatest pushing it. If they're close together-like catch them. Those guys were all Marathoners in the world. my two Stockholm and Brazil, they're ru r’-.ing 2.10 themselves! Dave: You really think he's one of the really too close. best in the world, don't you? After Dave: Well you're really exceptionally ■ZAPPED! yourself, of course! fast ones - your 2.09's, do they take Bill: (Laughing) Oh no, no he's ahead of more out of you than an ordinary one for Dave: That fall must have really shaken me. Yeah he's the best in the world - you - 2.15 or 2.16? Or is it just as you you, especially at the time it camel and Seko! feel on the day? Bill: (Pulling up the leg of his trouser) Dave: Yes, Seko's run here this year Bill: The day you feel best and you race Well, you can still see here, you know - a was really excellent. faster you usually recover quicker little bit zapped up still here and there! Bill: It would have been interesting to 'cause you're in better shape and Dave: You really must have hit the have seen him race Ceirpinski in conditions were good. The daythat I run ground a fair whack? Moscow. a slower race, in the 2.20's or when I hit Bill: (Laughing) - I feel like Lyndon Dave: Were you surprised that Nijdor the wall - those are the tough ones to Johnson showing my scars! But yeah, it came up so fast? recover from, for me. was a complete shock. Bill: (Laughing) What can I say! Yeah Dave: Well how does your training go Dave: Were you tempted to just pull out kinda like a meteorite! Suddenly he's now? at that stage? 2.16 then he’s 2.09 and a silver medal. Bill: I'm basically doing pretty much the Bill: Of course I was tempted (smiling) Dave: Is he the one who is capable of same kind of training I've done for the you always want any excuse to get out breaking the world record? last few years. I try to train twic a day - of a marathon. But you have to go after Bill: I think that his time certainly is some days I miss it, but I try to do one them. nearest the world record. I don't think long run once every week or every Dave: Of all the races, Bill, which would that Derek Clayton's is the world record. fortnight, about a 20 miler and then, you regard as your most satisfying? Dave: It's certainly a bit shaky, that sometimes - the same afternoon I'll do Would it have been the '79 Boston 2.08. another run, 6-8 miles. I try to do when you posted your American speedwork once every week or two record? "I THINK ITS 2.09 FLAT” weeks. Bill: That was one, but I think maybe Bill: Yeah! It's too controversial - the Dave: So what would your total weekly getting 3rd in the World Cross-Country, course might be short, so it's hard totell mileage be? cause that was a real shock. - I guess somewhere around 2.09 flat Bill: About 120 - 125 miles. Dave: Yes, that was a real surprise to must be the world record, so if some guy Dave: And then you race pretty often as everyone, because I don't think anybody can run it on a really certified course, well? had reckoned you as world-class cross­ one that they can measure and Bill: Well, I race a lot now. When I first country runner before then. remeasure a number of times then started my mileage was higher but my Bill: (Laughing) Yeahl I certainly never you'll know you have it. racing was lower so there's always a did. I never have been before or since. Dave: So you think that Nijdor's trade off. You've got to watch the trade Dave: Maybe, just one of those good 2.09.01 would be closer to an actual and how your body's reacting to you're daysl Cross-country running is really world record than Derek Clayton's? training and racing. big with us in Ireland especially after Bill: That's the way I look at it. Dave: Do you race without resting John Treacy's wins. Dave: What about the Boston race? To down for the race - the lesser races? Bill: Oh Treacy is amazing! He's a great us at home it is probably 'The Bill: Some! I almost always cut back a athlete. I consider that's worth a gold Marathon'. Does it still hold the same little bit for every race; at least one day. medal in the Olympics. He's got as good magic to you now that you've won it I've got a race this weekend and today, a 2 golds in the Olympics. so many times? two days before the race I'll do normal Dave: Yes, this is what a lot of people Bill: Oh yeah! It does - but it's tougher mileage, about 18 or 20 miles but > 8 Irish Runner

contd, different to most races, because it just leaves you so aching and sore. don't realise. You reckon that the World Dave: Can you remember offhand how Cross-country is as good a test as the MARATHON '81 SPECIAL many sub - 2.12's you've run? Olympic Games? Bill: I think I have 10. Bill: Maybe better even. Because the Dave: That must be the most in history. World Cross-country you have "You eat carbohydrate dinners. Bill: I don't know. I suppose for now it is. everybody from milers to Marathoners. But (smiling) I'm sure Seko is going to You've got the 10K people, the 5K drink a lot during the race and pace be the one to move there or Ceirpinski. people - they're all there to fight against Dave: Does it surprise you how many and you've got about 150 people not yourself right and just try to avoid people can reel off fast marathons now, just 10 or 12. where a few years ago 2.10 or 2.11 Dave: Do you race cross-cou ntry as part hot weather marathons, if you really was something special and now of your winter training? guys that were previously unheard of Bill: I used to do it more, and I train a can" seem to be doing them? little bit over cross-country types of Bill: Yeah, it does. But at the base of the ground, but I don't race it too much now pyramid there's so many people - there's no money in it here (smiling). experienced at that. I get there ahead of running that there’s going to be more time. I remember one race in Holland I quality. That's a big part of it I guess. I HATE THE HEAT ran and I got there just the day before Everyone knows more about training. Dave: Do you have trouble now trying to and by 25K I was standing in the middle They have better opportunities to train fit in your business committments with of the road getting sick, and I had than even five years ago, you're your running? Do you still enjoy it as company with Neil Cusack, he was in subsidised by a shoe company or much? trouble there too. something, so there's better Bill: Yes I do. Some of my runs I'm really Dave: I read in your book that both of opportunities. dragging, though. I hate the heat - you were under pressure there. maybe that's my Irish background. And Bill: Yeah! We were getting sick and WILL 2.08 RECORD GO? the summers here, well sometimes it's trying to pull each other along. I finally tough. But I'm still having a good time at had to pull out and I don't think Neil Dave: Well then, do you think that the it. I still like it. made it either. world record, as it stands now, the 2.08 Dave: Would you like to give us a few Dave: No, I don't think he did. Speaking will go soon? more details on your Irish background. of not finishing marathons, what about Bill: Yeah, I think Seko can get it on a Maybe we can find some of your 'hitting the wall'. Is it as bad as it's made real good course, If he picked the right relatives. out to be? course. Bill: Ohl My grandfather's father was Bill: Yeah! If you hit it you certainly Dave: Is the Fukuoka fast enough? from Ireland. know it and it's because of the heat and Bill: Fukouka is a good course and he's Dave: Do you know what part? the lack of pace. run 2.09.45 there - he's got 45 seconds Bill: I don't know really, but his name Dave: Is there any way that you can to go. If someone breaks 2.09,as far as was Molloy and he's pretty Irish. really guard against it? I'm concerned that's the world record. Dave: If it's Molloy maybe it's Galway. Bill: I think you can avoid it through your Dave: Probably three or four guys in the We have a Marathoner at home from training and makin sure you're rested same race will push themselves to it. there and his name is Molloy. enough. You can cut down the Bill: Yeah, maybe! I think one of the Bill: Mick Molloy, yeah, sure I've heard incidence of it happening, because courses for it would be the Grandma's of him. through experience you'll learn how Marathon in Minneosota here in the much to rest. You eat carbohydrate U.S.A., because that's a real fast I'D LIKE TO RUN IN IRELAND dinners, drink a lot during the race and course, but I think they have to measure pace yourself right and just try to avoid it first too. Dave: Maybe he's a distant relative of hot weather marathons, if you can. Dave: Finally, would you like to give yours. Mick has run some long races in Dave: Talking of pace - do you usually some advice to potential Dublin City the past few years, thirty and fifty try to dictate the pace in races? Is there a Marathoners? milers, do you have any plans to run particular pace that you're really Bill: I would say the main thing is if these ultramarathons? comfortable at? you're going to get into road running, try Bill: Mick has? He's running ultras? I Bill: There's a point at which I want to the shorter distances first, anywhere don't have any immediate plans. Maybe try to dictate it or try to move into a good from 1 mile up to 6 or 8 miles. I would someday I'll try a 50 miler or a 50 K. I'd position and start putting the pressure run those in the first year that I was like that. But I'd like to run in Ireland on. That's usually after about 8-12 running and try to run every otherday or some day though! miles, and then I start trying to run something like that and build up your Dave: We have a new marathon there. really hard, 'cause my strategy is to distance. For everybody, each person is It's called the R.T.E. Radio 2 Dublin City burst away in the middle of the race and an individual case in the sense that you Marathon. Last year was the first year. cruise in the last 4-6 miles. have different abilities so some people Have you heard of that? Dave: Most of your Boston wins have will be able to start off and be able to run Bill: Sure, yeah I've read about it and I come that way, although weren't you a mile non-stop their first day of know about it. It was won in 2.15 or pushed pretty close one year? running, others may have to walk 50 2.16? Bill: Yeah! One year a guy - Jeff Wells, yards, run 50 yards so it may take a Dave: Yes, Dick Hooper won it in 2.16 moved up on me, surprisingly, over the matter of weeks, but if you stay at it, with Neil Cusack second: so maybe if last few miles and he had a tremendous drinka lot of waterand fruit juice, Ithink some of the race promoters read this - finish and I barely made it. I beat him by everybody can become a lot better and a Bill Rodgers would like to run in Ireland 2 seconds. lot fitter. and maybe the Dublin City Marathon. Dave: O K. Bill, thank you for taking the You reckon? SHATTERED time to give me this interview and Bill: Well, if they have a shorter race I'd Dave: Although you don't normally look maybe we'l see you soon at a road race rather run that (smiling) but you never it, are you really as shattered at the end in Ireland! know. I am trying to run some new races of a marathon as say the guy who Bill: Yeah, Dave, I hope so, someday! ■ in different countries rather than the struggles in in 4 hours? same old ones. Bill: Sometimes, I'd say so, yeah, I Copyright Dave: Does the travel put a lot of generally am. I mean I've dropped out of Irish pressure on you? 3 marathons and those were just days Bill: Sometimes it tires you out - jet lag when it was smartest to drop out, but RUNNER can really zap you. But now I'm pretty generally yeah! A Marathon is so ’81 TOBASIC TRAINING. THE rjrwpr .1; RECOMMENDED HIGHLY RW5STAR ck**] k ic k FLEX a A " A COACH’S GUIDE fftmnttf Mwrfcf uriiw » y Jla icVnWf★ RW5STAR Head Coach-UCLA Head the Year; Member of the of Year; Member the mittees; Coach of of many Coach mittees; Wmningest track coach track Wmningest and International Com­ International and Olympic Development Olympic Champions and world and Champions Olympic and National and Olympic Twice voted Coach of Coach voted Twice in the US; Head Pan Head US; the in Member of the Pony of Member mCahi 1979; in Coach Am JIMBUSK Advisory Board. Advisory record holders; record RUNNING COMMENTARY. RUNNING

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recommend Pony. And why I train Pony. Iin train why Pony.And recommend shock and generally can help keep you and you keep help can generally and shock | realistic goal. goal. realistic In my opinion, they're the best Which is why I why is Which best the they're opinion, In my P j a ^ get your pulse up. pulse your get ^ i i TradeEnquiries; race pace. For variety add some add variety For pace. race akntw Tl 501954 Tel. Walkinstown 0S. ee’ R. Dublin Rd., Peter’s12 St. 70 2. TRAINING TIPS FROM JIM BUSH. 1 day program and stick I to it.recom- stick and program day stretch are your lower legs, the calf the legs, lower your are stretch mend alternating hard days and days hard alternating mend longer distance at a slower than a slower at distance longer cause it helps get rid of lactic the of rid get it helps cause Get on a 7 day program . . program 7 day a on Get interval training to your schedule. to your training interval acid that can cause discomfort after discomfort cause can that acid muscles and Achilles tendons. Achilles and muscles long long race pace. On easy days a run days easy On pace. race than faster at a distance shorter sistent in your workout. Set up a 7 a Set up workout. your in sistent heartbeat is back to normal. back is heartbeat workout. workout get your body loose and loose body your get workout Warm up. up. Warm Warm dow n. n. dow Warm Remember the key areas to areas key the Remember Warming bown is important be­ important is Warming bown Don ’t try to run too fast a pace fast too Don to ’t run try run... days. On hard days run a run days On hard days. Sportsmaster Pony's new Pony's Before you start any start you Before Jog, then walk until until your walk then Jog, Don 'tjust stop after a after stop Don 'tjust i s lie p p u S 5 -star running -star Be con- Be Ltd.

10 Irish Runner

FINISHING w l s WINNING 3.40 many many more overestimated T h e BIG day for all aspiring marathon themselves and underestimated the runners slowly draws near and by now 26 miles 385 yards. Over one third of all of you will have more or less the field failed to complete the course. completed your various training This year about 60% of the finishers programmes. In th last few weeks most should be over 3.30. will be content with easy steady Most of last years non-finishers, and I running and no excess mileage over the include some reasonably good next two weeks prior to the race.... for marathon men, went far too fast for the the last few days an easy run for a few first five and can trace back their miles is sufficient to keep the body in fit downfall to this if they havethe sense to shape but many serious marathon men wonder "what happened".... all your I knew trained up to a few days before long miles and hours of training down the event. If one has done the workover the drain and start again for the next 6 or 7 months, a few days rest will do year. Oh my, now its here and common good. sense must be the order of the day. Each one knows what he or she has put into training. And now comes the return for all ones hard work. The start, especially at the middle and the back will be "slightly crowded", (understatement of the year) for a mile or so. Don't panic. The field will spread out and if you have lost a few minutes early on all the better you will have more energy for the last six miles. Do not change your eating habits on the morning of the race. Eat early, I know everyone differs but I would suggest to By Noel Henry have breakfast over by 8 a.m. A good breakfast but no fries....the previous days food will carry you through. Even if you think you had a bad nights rest don't The completion on ones first maratnon worry. I had three hours sleep the night has to be experienced to really before my first London/Brighton 30 appreciate it....some women runners mile race but it didn't affect my have said its like having their first baby running. Before the start oil or vaseline but I wouldn't know that feeling. all your trigger spots, armpits, nipples, One feels a marvellous sense of crotch, etc. achievement after all the planning, You should get into a rythym of running dedicated training and perhaps a little after a few miles and do not be drawn dreaming. I trust each one of you have into a faster pace by an exhuberent enjoyed your preparation and have not friend who wants you to go faster. If you let your running become an obsession are going at your planned 8.30 or 9.30 or a bore....enjoyment is what its all per mile let your pal go on ahead....he about....there is only one winner but will probably come back to you at about in a marathon every finisher is a 23 miles. Remember your aim is to winner in a way. complete this marathon and you do not Have all your plans for the day..,..gear want the awful DFN after your number which has been used regularly on in the Dublin City Marathon results of training runs is your apparel for the 1981. day.... shoes must be free from any I was always a cautious athlete. I roughness on the inside and a check the always knew what I had put in and night before may well discover a loose therefore knew what to expect out of a tread that could mean a blister at 20 race. Sometimes due to my form, miles! A T shirt rather than a singlet and personal tragedies, or for no reason the modern type shorts with built in at all I would have a bad run. Put this support.... make sure shorts are not too down to experience and start thinking tight if they are too tight if they are take of next year. out a few strands of elastic. If by chance you have been plagued by injury, chest colds or infections see your friendly doctor. It’s a brave athlete who faces a marathon, but it takes more O n marathon day get to the Green courage to decide not to run when one early.... warm up very easily...... keep doesn't feel up to it.... your track suit on as long as possible After the marathon I used to always and once it is discarded try and keep the feel a kind of void in my life. I suppose Editor's Note: Noe!Henry has been involved body warm by jogging up and down if in running since 1958. He has had the like a child looking towards the arrival of you have room with the thousands Santa, and then suddenly its all over. experience of thirty marathons and many jammed up for the start. Its going to be ultra distance races and has won a best of 2 My advice....take November, December, hrs 25 minutes for the marathon. He has some occasion.... thatis why I must and January easy and then nine more teen one of the really true pioneers of Irish warn you all not to get carried away by months to the 1982 Dublin City the excitement. Last year only 60 beat Marathon. 2.45 and 1 59 beat 3.15 and 600 beat Good. Luck to each of you. ■ BOOK REVIEW By Brian Tansey

EXCELLENT NEW BOOK BY NOEL CARROLL

"I find myself in a new world" writes Noel Carroll, "a world in which the sport of running has fallen into the hands of common men and women - people who months ago wouldn't know a running shoe from a bedroom slipper are now talking about Achilles tendons, aerobics and lactic acid", Noel does not mention that in at least some small way he is responsible for the metamorphosis which has changed the bedroom slipper brigade into the like of the Belfield Bashersl His love affair with running for over 20 years and his recent pioneering work with Dublin Corporation, the Sports Council and the Business Houses Athletic Association has contributed towards putting running where it belongs "in the hands of common men and women". And it is directly at this category that this book is aimed, the only concession to the serious racer being the schedules provided for the book by Dick Hooper. Noel sees the marathon in general, and The R.T.E. Radio 2 Dublin City Marathon specifically as the main target of his reader. The book provides guidelines by which prospective competitors can improve their present state of fitness, whatever that may be, to a degree where they can run 26 miles 365 yards through the streets of Dublin. "It is not the distance but the pace that kills” - Noel quotes his former coach Frank Duffy in his introduction to his own marathon schedule. This 6 month plan is aimed at the total novice and is geared for those who will take up to 4 or 5 hours to complete the course. It is a straightforward schedule, easy to follow and sensibly, from a runners viewpoint is based on time spent running Your dandruff rather than distance covered. Also included are two schedules compiled by Dick Hooper for the more ambitious athlete, schedule 1 catering for those hoping to run 3-3’/2 hours for a marathon, schedule 2 for those aiming at 2’/2- 3 hours. These 15 week schedules presuppose a certain level of cleared. fitness and are obviously more demanding than Noel's own programme. As such, I felt, more background to these would have been worthwhile (e.g. is the interval work recommended speed or endurance orientated; how hilly is a hilly run? At what speed Or your money should an athlete run his/her 1 0 /1 2 /1 5 /2 0 /2 5 mile runs to be on course for a 2 1/2 hours marathon?) At the most recent Gowan Motors Marathon Seminar, Mary Purcell, apologising for arriving somewhat late explained: "It’s one of the problems of being a runner, a working wife and a mother". In back. his chapter "Women Runners" Noel deals with the difficulties, social, psycolocigal and physical which confront would-be women New Vaseline Intensive Care Anti-Dandruff Shampoo marathoners. The progress of women in this area in the last 10 is the result of 6 years intensive research into the dandruff years is nothing short of amazing and the author rightly devotes time towards dispelling any lingering doubts which may exist sufferer’s problems. about womens ability to equal and indeed to emulate men in It contains a powerful anti-dandruff agent, Zinc distance events. Whereas the world best time for men in the Pyrithione in fine suspension and a conditioner that will marathon as been improved since 1969, women's times have tumbled by a staggering 35 minutes plus, in just 10 years. Gretta keep your hair shiny and manageable. Waitz's time of 2 hrs. 25 is only a tantalising 12/15 mins, behind You simply use it twice a week for the first two weeks, what world class male marathoners are achieving at present. In his penultimate chapter Noel deals with an area which he states then once a week thereafter. has traditionally been neglected by writers - runners relationships The first six shampoos are enough to say goodbye to with family and friends. The divorce rate among those in New York Marathon last year was 340% above the national average. "It your dandruff. If not, we guarantee your money back. seems" continues Noel "that men who seek fulfillment, It’s available at chemists and good stores. Try it. confidence and autonomy during leisure time" don't find wives to You’ve nothing to lose. . . but your dandruff! be too willing accomplices. No mention is made of the fact, however, that 20% of the competitors in distance races in the 'States' are women and that the most susceptible marriages are those where a running wife is married to a non-running husbandl Vaseline INTENSIVE CARE ’ I was tempted to say that for its size the book was a little overpriced at £2.30. But with all proceeds going to that most worthy charity- ANTI-DANDRUFF SHAMPOO, GOAL and at about 1/10 the price of a pair of running shoes its V aseline* and Vaseline INTENSIVE CARE® are registered trade marks of C h esebrough-P oid's Ltd, probably the cheapest and most beneficial piece of training equipment you will ever buyl ■ 12 Irish Runner

M A R Y W A LSH Ireland’s First Sub Three Hour Marathon Mum A bitter disappointment awaited her. Mary Butler of Crusaders A.C. decided to run at her own expense in preparation for the R.T.E. Radio 2 Dublin City Marathon. She not only beat an off form Miss Folan but with three hours thirty seven minutes lowered Jean’s best time for the distance by ten minutes. Three weeks later Carey May ran two hours fifty three minutes in Letterkenny. Mary Walsh ruefully reflects that had she run the Tullamore race not for time but to get the distance she too would be counted among those pioneering B.L.E. Lady marathoners who helped to bring down the time. • Mary Walsh and family relax at home. After Tullamore Mary was nervous about Marathons but the Clonliffe 11 took a Cork bus conductor to make eventually joined Clonliffe Harriers with Twenty, the Track season and running Mary Walsh realise that she was whom she won an Eastern Region team second to Carey May in a ten mile race famous. An hour after she had finished Cross Country Championship and made in Donegal restored her confidence. In second in the first ever Irish Ladies BLE the Dublin Cross Country team. "No", the first R.T.E. Radio 2 Dublin City Marathon Championship, (run she says "the children were not a Marathon she ran a most determined concurrently with the Mens Marathon hindrence. We brought them with us to race to be the second lady to finish and on the Mallow Road on Sunday June the sports and races and Pat and myself the 183rd competitor overall with a time 7th last), Mary, her husband Pat, did the circuit of Ireland". The of three hours two minutes twenty daughter Michelle (11) and sons, Garry sideboards and walls of their home in seven seconds. (9) and Colin (4) were trying to get a bus Oaklands Avenue, Swords bear She had a good Cross Country back to Cork to catch the train for formidable testimony to the success of season and proceeded her run in Cork Dublin. Eventually a bus bound for the this campaign. Cups and trophies from with two hours eight minutes in the garage stopped and the crew offered to countless sports meetings throughout Clonliffe Twenty of 1981, eight minutes take them a bit oftheway. Asthey made the country abound. faster than the previous year. the journey the conductor inquired as to In November 1979 Mary ran in the Mary Walsh seldom runs more than what brought her to Cork. When Mary Donore Half Marathon, run on grass in thirty five to forty five miles per week replied that she was competing in the the Phoenix Park. She finished in under in training. "I prefer a steady short run Marathon the conductor asked "Oh 88 minutes. "This was the race", she to slow easy long runs" she said. "Any then you must know Mary Walsh"? said "that made me realise that the time she does do a twenty miler with When he realised that his heroine, further I went the better I got". With me" said husband Pat, "she has no husband and offspring sat before him husband Pat she began training for the trouble running under seven minute the conductor and his driver eschewed B.L.E. Marathon Championships which miles". Pat Walsh is a great asset to the garage and proceeded to the was to be held in her native Tullamore Mary when she is recovering from a Railway Station where the Walsh the following Summer. Marathon. An employee of Cement family caught the train in ample time. The 1980 B.L.E. Marathon Roadstone, he is also a trained The following day the newspapers did Championship had no Ladies section masseur. "Pat gives me a good indeed record that Mary Walsh had but Jean Folan was favourite to take the massage after all my races which really finished second to Carey May in the Ladies prize awarded tothefirstwoman loosens up my muscles and I also do a Ladies Marathon Championship and to finish. Pat Walsh had hoped to run bit of swimming". In her spare time that her time of two hours fifty eight the distance himself in two hours thirty Mary enjoys gardening and going to the minutes six seconds made her the first but injury forced him to lower his sights theatre with Pat. Daughter Michelle married Irishwoman to beat three hours and he decided to run with Mary. tells me that she and her brothers are for that distance. As a result of this Despite the near tropical conditions, very proud of their mother and that performance Mary Walsh not only they both set off at a spanking pace and they follow her in all her races. Now in became the second female athlete Mary reached the half way mark in preparation for the forthcoming R.T.E. registered with B.L.E. to run a subthree 87 minutes, a thing hitherto unheard of Radio 2 Dublin City Marathon in 1981 hour Marathon she is, given the fact for an Irish female athlete. Jean Mary is adding one track session per that Carey May was born and reared for Folan was well over a mile in her wake week to her normal schedule. What ten years in Portsmouth, the first native and had made no progress by the time is she hoping for? "When I enter born Irishwoman to beat three hours nineteen mile mark. "I was going grand, a Marathon I only think about finishing. and the only one to date to do so. when in the space of a half a mile I went I don't do it as part of a feminist crusade Mary Walsh did not start running until from going easy to absolute distress" but I am out to better my own the age of twenty four by which time she said. The inevitable ride back in the achievements. If all goes well I am she was already the mother of two ambulance followed and Jean Folan hoping for a good fast time", she said. children. Her husband was and still is a took the Ladies prize. Seven weeks later On past form there is no reason at all very useful athlete who finished 72nd Mary routed her in the Clonliffe-Twenty why the triumphal circuit of success of in the first R.T.E. Radio 2 Dublin City running two hours sixteen minutes to this remarkable and accomplished Marathon in 2 hours 46 minutes 59 Jean's two hours twenty four. However, woman should not continue on Monday seconds. Through going around the on the basis of the race in Tullamore October 26th and in many races races and meetings with him Mary Jean Folen represented Ireland in the afterwards. • got to know some girls who ran and 1980 Avon Ladies Marathon in London. By Jim Dowling. Irish Runner 13

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Most marathon runners will have injury etc. it is a fact that we each have a below par, most of the drive coming problems but these are of a limited different physical breaking point - for from the uninjured leg, loss of running variety and unspectacular from a runner A this might be 80 m.p.w., style particularly on hills, the weak leg medical point of view. Stopping running runner B 100 m.p.w. and runner C 150 never regaining strength from simply will cure these injuries which are m.p.w. Emerson said that 'there is a running and further injury is almost usually caused by minor abnormalities crack in everything God made' and inevitable. Special strengthening which are of no significance in the when you run over 100 m.p.w. you will exercises such as stepups on to a stool general population so do not be find that crack. A small abnormality in must be undertaken. A muscle group surprised if the doctor does not leg structure (heredity) plus running constantly neglected by runners is the welcome you with open arms and 100 m.p.w. (training) on hard surfaces abdominals, weakness allows the advises rest. (environment) will sooner or later cause pelvis to tilt and stress to be placed upon The great majority of injuries will occur injury so you have to attempt to correct the back leading to pain and a through breaking simple rules of the fault and/or adjust the training shortening of stride length. There are training. Just as many of us in spite of and/or the running surface. numerous types of abdominal exercises prodigious training could not be top which may be done with benefit. class sprinters, there are others with Running style obviously varies from one structural faults which will never individual to another, certain aspects withstand 100 miles per week (m.p.w.) This article is reproduced from are as characteristic and as fixed as our for month after month. We are all British Marathon Runners Club finger prints but other aspects may be different heights and weights, we all modified. Overstriding will cause shin have different shaped knees and feet, Handbook. The article is by Dr. Ian splints and hamstring problems. some are made for high mileage whilst Adams. Medical Adviser to the Running with the foot rotated outwards others are made for limited mileage. Club. We wish to thank Vince places twisting strains upon the knee, There are injuries which can be directly Regan for his permission to reprint particularly on the knee cap, causing treated, there are others which can be this article. undue wear of the contact surfaces indirectly treated and there are some leading to 'runners knee'. This hastobe which are untreatable in the context of slowly and very consciously corrected running 100 m.p.w. until a normal foot plant becomes Someone wrote that athletic excellence automatic. Abnormal rotation of the is produced by combinations of Most people have to run many miles on foot is often associated with swinging heredity, training and environment - an unyielding road with extra stress the arm or arms too far across the body this is the same formula which gives particularly to the heels and knees, and correcting the arm action will often running injuries. Heredity controls our shoes must be very good for correct the foot problem. shape, we may have been built with absorbency. Running on the road bow-legs or unequal leg length which means a different running action from ENVIRONMENT produce various problems. We cannot that on grass and from that on Tartan The environment includes many things treat these conditions but we may be track, several months of training on one such as weather, temperature, shoes, able to take some steps to reduce their type of surface requires a gradual running surface. Shoes are the most effects by, for example, building up one period of adjustment when moving on important item, cause the most shoe. The heavier runner gets more to another surface, I see many injuries problems and have the least known injuries than the lighter runner, even caused by the road runner suddenly about them. The importance of assuming he is not carrying excess fat, moving on to Tartan for a particular adequate padding in the heel and he also sweats more and has increased race. This change should be spread over forefoot has already been mentioned fluid problems on the long run. There several weeks of gradual increasing and whilst the young runner will are a variety of other bio-mechanical time on the new surface. survive almost any shoe, the problem is problems such as the angle of the bone High mileage means little time for more definite for the older or heavier at the hip joint, twisting of the lower leg anything else, it also means that the runner. There has to be a compromise bones which are untreatable. Many of primary muscle groups become well between padding and flexibility, if the these abnormalities are very minor developed and tight in relation to those padding is too thick this will reduce deviations from normal and only muscles of which little is demanded flexibility of the shoe which may cause become of significance when running a which become weak and overstretched. shin and calf problems. Nowadays large mileage regularly. This leads to a muscular imbalance most everyday and training shoes have causing injuries and the more mileage built up heels and when racing flats TRAINING you do the more important flexibility with a very low heel are worn the Training is the most important factor for exercises become. Hamstring tightness Achilles tendon and calf muscles have excellence and injury. This has to be is often associated with low back pain, an unaccustomed stretch so flexibility considered from the point of view of tightness of the calf muscles and the exercises are essential if we are to avoid quantity and quality as well as the Achilles tendon with ship splints and the unaccustomed stretch leading to training surface (environment). The flat feet. Time simply has to be found for injury. The choice of rounded or sharp present attention to increasing mileage these exercises which require four or heel is personal but I think there is appears to be correct for an improved five minutes each day. a theoretical advantage in a rounded performance but as mileage increases It is important to have a balance heel spreading the impact load. The the number of runners who are capable between the strength of the two legs. A problem of heel wear is important, once of that quantity will decrease. Ignoring minor sprained ankle, return to training . the heel becomes worn down, usually the obvious problems of self-dicipline with the muscles of the injured leg on the outer edge, thentheactionofthe Irish Runner 15 foot in running becomes altered and common running injury but this has not gradual return to running schedule. strained. Heels must be constantly been so in my experience. The pain may Occasionally an injection of mended by the cobbler or by yourself be due to stretching the soft tissues or hydrocortisone alongside the tendon or with one of the various plastic to abnormal wear on the inner surface an operation may be required but preparations on the market, once a of the knee cap. Some possible causes neither are magic cures and both have month would seem to be reasonable. have already been mentioned. Check definite risks. The running surface poses various equality of the leg length, equal 'Shin splints' is really a ragbag problems. The hard road surface has strength of the thing muscles in both diagnosis, covering several possible already been mentioned. Most legs, there is little totation on foot plant, conditions. The usual condition is pavements are cambered, that is slope the shock absorbancy of the shoes, the tenderness, possibly with some slightly into the centre of the road, and if amount of downhill running, arm swelling, or the inner aspect of the shin you always run on one side of the road action. Treatment - if the knee becomes bone with most tenderness just off the you effectively run with one leg slightly swollen stop running and only do bone. The one condition to exclude is a longer than the other. This can be easily tightening exercises of the thigh stress fracture - a crack in the bone advoided. muscles until it settles, this may be caused by repeated impacts such as HILLS speeded up by the application of running - where the tenderness is contrast bathing. This consists of always on the bone itself and this Very soft surfaces such as sand make alternative hot & cold towels or hot requires an X-ray which will only show pleasant running, the heel will sink so water and ice in a polythene bag, one changes two weeks after the trouble Achilles flexibility is required. Carefully minute hot to three minutes cold starts. For the normal shin splints check used it is a good stretching exercise. repeated three times and all repeated overstriding, abnormal rotation of the Similarly uphill running, particularly two or three times a day. Contrast foot, unaccustomed change of running the Lydiard type of bounding, stretches bathing is also useful for ankle sprains surface. Treatment is stretching the the tendon and this has to be done or muscle strains provided you only Achilles and calf muscles with carefully if there is any suggestion of start doing this two days after injury. strengthening of the muscles on the Achilles tightness or shin splints. More If there is no swelling then strengthen front part of the lower leg. of a problem is downhill running which the thigh muscles by an exercise such Foot problems are numerous and places great strain upon the inner as stepping on to a chair or a beer crate, important. Abnormalities of the foot surface of the knee cap and is a major the weak leg going up on to the chair, may cause problems anywhere in the cause of knee pain, avoidance of this lifting the body up making sure that the lower limb or in the back and deserve an problem requires strengthening of the knee of the weak leg fully straightens article on their own. I would suggest thigh musculature or when training by and that there is no push-off with the that those with possible foot problems avoiding steep, downhill sections. good leg, holding for five seconds and should read 'Athletes Feet', a booklet Ideally a steep uphill section is good for then slowly returning to the floor. produced by the Runners World the heart, lungs, thigh and abdominal Running should be kept within the publishers. muscles but a steep downhill section is causing discomfort and should initially no use to anyone. be on a level, grass surface. NO MIRACLES! The unreliability of the weather in the This article has attempted to cover U.K. is really a minor problem. We rarely ACHILLES TENDON some of the problems causing some of have the extremes of heat and cold Achilles tendon trouble afflicts many the injuries which occur in marathon experienced in marathon races abroad. runners and as soon as this becomes runners but obviously there are many Running in cold, damp weather sore STOP. A few days rest at the very problems which have not been certainly increases the likelihood of start may prevent weeks or months of considered. Different doctors may have injury by usually clothing can be rest later on. Pain is a signal of trouble different ideas on treatment so find one selected to reduce this factor. The and there are very few injuries you can you can trust and listen to the advice. By problems of excessive heat and cold are 'run through' - Achilles problems are all means if the problem does not settle medical problems but outside an article not one of these. Initially slacken the obtain a second opinion but the worst of this nature. Time of day is another strain on the tendon by having a pad of thing you can do is to trail your problem factor, there are more injuries when chiropody felt or foam in all shoes you around numerous doctors until you get running in the early morning because of wear on that foot. Ultrasound from a the advice you think is correct. This is as stiffness. Lack of sleep and stress at physiotherapist usually is helpful. beneficial as having six coaches and home or at work may lead to a loss of the Attempt to find why the condition was attempting to follow all their training normal running rhythm, inattention to Caused. Check f lexibility of the Achilles, routines at the same time. You are the uneven surface and more injuries. sudden change from built-up heels to unusual in wanting to run a marathon Moving on to discuss some common racing flats, unaccustomed hill work or and have devoted months or years in problems as they affect marathon sand running, worn down shoe heels, acquiring this ability and, I regret to say, runners we will start with the knee marked flat feet, too sudden an increase that some of your injuries may take joint. Pain around the knee appears, in mileage. Treatment with heel pad, months to correct. I have not witnessed from American surveys, to be the most ultrasound, stretching exercises and a a miracle for many months. ■

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The successful! TRX Competition, V&zP: a lightweight flat for ◦didas racing and training. m -' ht g ae o ad twa ae did age what at and you are age what o sat running? start you col t t Pus Raheny. Pauls St. at school Jim: Jim: h Marathon? the Treacy, John included also which team but most of the readers perhaps don't, don't, perhaps readers the of most but Jim: Jim: career? your in early achievements Jim: stay with them comfortably. I felt then felt I comfortably. them with stay Pat brother my with runs mile twenty Marathon. the at it make to talent enough had the I knew I reach metres. thousand ever would I feel not did courageous the Jim: Finnegan erry G Country Cross Junior Irish the on was this? unn a te g o ffen hl at while fifteen of age the at running and Jim McNamara and I found I could Ifound and McNamara Jim and like runners Marathon experienced Jim: ten over standard qualifying Olympic I and ambitions Olympic had I because distances? Treacy, shorter over avoid them beat to order in Marathon it. put liketo you as stalwart Clonliffe yours of favourite a and Kenny Louis 1 1975 Country In Mick Championship. to Steeplechase Cross second All and the Schools in Championship John of Ireland brother Hartnett future. m inutes 32 seconds, beating beating doing started I Then seconds, O'Shea. Brendan 32 68 in fourth inutes m finished and Marathon not could you because etc. Finnegan Schools Ireland All the in Byrne event, Dick too is warming up todefend is Dicktoowarming event, ik I Dick: Dick: Dick: ik I Dick: Dick: hmok .. rpeetd Ireland represented A.C.) Shamrocks males throughout the country pound pound country the throughout males career to date and his hopes for the for hopes his and date to career coe. s ueosfmls and females numerous As October. out the miles in preparation for the for preparation in miles the out second running of this tremendous tremendous this of running second oln of Dowling AAHN’1 SPECIAL ’81 MARATHON ai 2 uln iy aahn last Marathon City Dublin 2 Radio his title. Recently he spoke to Jim Jim to spoke he Recently title. his Dick to go what over At what age did you start running running start you did age what At

o dd o bcm aae of aware become you did How Twenty one. Twenty a a hsta mt ad noting and mate team his asPat he has won the B.L.E. Marathon Marathon B.L.E. the won has he ' tet fv and five twenty I'm in the Marathon at the Moscow Moscow the at Marathon the in i yu tr rnig the running start you Did Olympics with his elder brother brother elder his with Olympics celebrated as the winner of the of winner the as celebrated I started running Marathons Marathons running started I wer main m r u o y re e w t a h W nuua rnig fte R.T.E. the of running inaugural n 18, e spoal most probably is he 1981, and ran in the Liffey Valley Half Half Valley Liffey the in ran hminhp n 98 1980 1978, in Championship iihd eod o Eddie to second finished rs Runner e n n u R Irish I already know know already aot his about I started Irish Runner 19 that my vocation lay in Marathon Marathon with running over a shorter Jim: Does it irk you that you are the running. distance on the track of Cross Country? B.L.E. Marathon Champion but not the Jim: Do you not think though that the Dick: Well this is getting back to my fastest Irishman over the Marathon Marathon attracts a lot of bad track and fascination with preparing for a distance? Cross Country runners? particular day. Other races don't excite Dick: I'm only the seventh fastest Dick: I think the Marathon is a natural me in the same way or to the same Irishman over the distance but with the extension for anyone with ambitions in extent. I do enjoy the atmosphere of exception of Louis Kenny I have run running. The desire to run the distance road running. My interest in Track Marathons against the other six and comes not from without but from within, running has waned over the last few none of them have beaten me. you cannot be pushed into doing it. years. Jim: You are unbeaten over the Jim: What do you regard as your best Jim: Do you not think that the first Marathon on Irish soil? Marathon? R.T.E. Radio 2 Dublin City Marathon Dick: Yes as a matter of fact I'm Dick: The 1980 B.L.E. Marathon <'ompletely destroyed the mythology of unbeaten over twenty miles or more on Championship in Tullamore in 1980 the Marathon as the greatest test of Irish soil. which I won in two hours sixteen endurance in that it demonstrated that Jim: Although Louis Kenny and you minutes, twenty seven seconds. anyone from a child of nine to an old have never competed in a marathon Everything clicked dead right that day. man of sixty nine could complete the against each other argument rages over Jim: That was exceptional running in distance provided they ran it slowly his time compared with yours? near tropical conditions? enough to preserve this energy? Dick: It is very hard to comparetimes on Dick: I have to admit I was pleased with Dick: It is no harm if old attitudes to the different courses but in defence of it. Marathon have changed. The great myself and using Niall Cusack as a Jim: The general impression is that you thing about the R.T.E. Radio 2 Marathon yardstick, Niall finished one minute and are very well rehearsed before a is that it has popularised running and twenty nine seconds behind Kenny in Marathon? made Marathon running a great Boston in April whereas both sides of Dick: You have to treat the Marathon spectator sport. Everyone watching that run he finished four minutes and with the utmost respect and leave no seems to know at least one person twenty four seconds behind me in stone unturned in your preparation. taking part. There is also the element of Dublin last October and three minutes There are only three or four marathons climbing your own everest. eleven seconds behind me in Cork last per year so when you run one you are Jim: Mind you, you need more courage June. Obviously the argument will be putting all your eggs in one basket and and skill to climb Everest than to run the settled when Louis Kenny and I do meet you have to run well. You must see to R.T.E. Radio 2 Dublin City Marathon? and I look forward to te encounter. From your physical, mental and spirtiual Dick: The point of my simile is that both an Irish point of view it would be better if welfare and peak on a particular day. I can be accomplished if you put your it took place on Irish soil rather than see a mighty challenge in that, getting mind to it. have us both finish eighth and tenth in yourself right on a particular day. Jim: You have tended to run down this Boston or New York. Jim: You say spiritually, are you years European Marathon Champion­ Jim: Are you impressed by the religously minded? ships for which you did not make performances of Irish women over the Dick: Oh God, let's not start bringing yourself available. Can you explainyour distance of the Marathon in the last few religion into it. I am fascinated by the attitude? years? idea of getting everything right on a Dick: This European Championship is Dick: This year I expect enormous particular day. I suppose the I implore not an individual Championship but a improvement in womens times in the the Gods for help as much as any other team Championship. For example R.T.E. Radio 2 Marathon. You could get person would. Sebastian Coe won the 800m in the six or seven running under three hours. Jim: At what stage does your real Europa Cup but that did not make him Jim: Have you ever suffered from the preparation begin? the European Champion. If you aregood loneliness of the long distance runner? Dick: It depends on the gap between at the Marathon you are on a four year Dick: No. I do all my training on my own races. I work on a three month schedule cycle. Every second year you have and I find the time spent out training basically. either the European Championship or compliments my other time quite nicely. Jim: How do you start? the Olympic Championship. In order to Jim: Have you any other comments to Dick: I up my mileage from 120 to an qualify for either you must do well in the make before I cue you for the last average of 140 miles per week. This National Championships. You cannot quotes? includes a lot of hill running. I proceed run more than four marathons per year Dick: I think its worth remarking that with this until three weeks before a race and every second year two of the four the current popularity of Marathon and then start my sharpening up period. you run are dictated to by either the running has destroyed team Jim: What does sharpening up involve? European of Olympic Championship. I competition in longdistance races. Look Dick: I'm not going to say. think that in the odd intervening years at all the Senior clubs that could not Jim: Do you think that in preparing for a you should be free to choose the four field a scoring team during the last marathon it is best to train as much as Marathons you run. The nature of the cross country season. No one wants to possible on grass in order to save your event makes it an individuals event and know about team races anymore. All legs? being your own boss is a very important they think of is their individual Dick: I do 95% of my training on the part of it. I am not interested in running performance in the marathon. road. I suppose the athletes' a European Marathon down a dual Jim: You certainly have a point there. environment has a lot to do with it. The carriageway with two hundred By the time this interview is published Marathon is a road race so you train on spectators looking on when I can run you will have taken the hand in the road,although I do seek solace on the same distance around Dublin with marriage of Miss Frances Conlen. Is grass when my legs get very sore. I've half the population of the City out to see there any danger of your wife becoming done most of my training on the roads in it. a marathon widow? recent years and I supose my legs have Jim: Some people have voiced the Dick: I met Frances through my job not adjusted accordingly. suspicion that your enthusiasm for the through running, but she comes to all Jim: Your brother Pat has had a lot of R.T.E. Radio 2 Dublin City Marathon is my races and enjoys watching them and injury lately. Do you not fear this due to the factthat R.T.E. are paying you the atmosphere at them. I've finally met yourself or suffering from arthritis in a substantial sum of money in the girl who understands. your old age? sponsorship to do so? Jim: Lastly, what are your hopes for the Dick: Men who sit in arm chairs all their Dick: That is a load of crap. I am running future? lives get arthritis too. You can't be in the R.T.E. Marathon because last Dick: This I feel is my first peak year in blaming your running for all your year it was the most enjoyable the four year cycle 1981 to 1984. If ailments. marathon I ever ran and I wantto repeat everything comes out well I will run my Jim: How do you compare running a the experience. best Marathons in these years. • 20 Irish Runner ‘SUPREME CHALLENGE’ for 16 year old Ursula I he 1980 R.T.E. Radio 2 Dublin City Marathon was a first marathon for many of its participants. As a 16 year old girl, it way my first marathon also. On the starting line I was terrified. I didn’t know what I had let myself in for. But the R.T.E. Radio 2 Dublin City Marathon proved to be an unforgettable experience, one which I would love to repeat. It was the personal challenge in running the marathon which attracted me. I had been jogging sporadically since autumn 1 978, but without any real incentive. Then my 25 year old sister, Eileen, wandered in one evening last August, and asked: "Do you want to run a marathon"? My immediate reaction was one of delight: "I'd love to". I am a slow runner/jogger and any cross country I had attempted was very discouraging. Fifteen hundred metre or three thousand metre races seemed to be practically a sprint. But the 26 miles 385 yards would be the supreme challenge. At 16 years old I wanted to prove to myself that I was able to complete what must be the ultimate running event. I had no illusions about breaking Grete Waitz's world record! If I started serious training in August, I felt I might fit in enough to be ableto finish. That was my aim. Back at school in September, I had to whittle training down to what seemed to be the minimum necessary. This was my final year at Grammar school and with all important exams looming at the end of it, I had to be careful that running did not take over my life completely! So I settled for three 7 mile runs each week and one gradually lengthened one at the weekend. The longest run was 18 miles, two weeks before the marathon. The actual race was a revelation. Used to training on my own, (except on the longest runs, when Eileen would join me), running with so many other people was a novel but exhilarating experience. The marathon was not as physically devastating as it might have been because I must have paced myself correctly. The opening mile or two were fast, with everyone carried away by the almost euphoric Ursula Kelly comes atmosphere. Realising I from Down­ wouldn't get far by patrick, Co. Down. keeping that up, I She w ill be writing deliberately slowed down. further features I finished the marathon in for Irish Runner. 4:51, an average pace of slightly over 11 minutes per • Above, Ursula Kelly (Rt) and her sister Eileen mile. It was slow, but I have disappeared! I couldn't feel them. at 7.30 p.m., despite our aching limbs, finished, which was what it Then at 25 miles, my legs returned! It we wanted to celebrate! all about. was a curious sensation. I had chatted We headed home the next day, feeling with other runners throughout, but in pleased with ourselves. When the lactic the last few miles, talking became too acid had finally drained from our T h e first 20 miles were the most much of an effort. All concentration was muscles, we weren't much the worse enjoyable. It wasn't the scenery - needed to keep my legs moving. I fell in for wear. In fact Eileen recovered without my glasses I couldn't observe with a fellow masochist at this stage. quickly. Two days later she headed to much - but the Dublin people who made Few words were exchanged yet we Donegal where she passed her Sub it so. It was a collossal boost to be paced each other to the end. The tacit Aqua First Class Diver's Award - an cheered and encouraged the whole support helped both of us to finish. even more gruelling feat. way. The crowds never seemed to tireof "Flow do you feel"? the St. John We both intend to run in the Second cheering everyone, and when they saw Ambulance man asked anxiously after I Dublin City Marathon. I wanted to run in a girl coming, they went wild. crossed the finishing line. the London Marathon - butthe AAAage The last 6 miles were agonising - the "Wonderful", I replied, "just limits put paid to that idea. But with a real test of willpower. Many wonderful"! considerably greater amount of competitors were walking parts of this Eileen finished in 5:01 and we hobbled training, 1 hope to break 4 hours on 26th stage. I felt if I started to walk, my legs back to base to soak in a bath for half an October this year. Another, 23 year old would 'seize up'. So I continued jogging, sister is planning on joining us. So look very, very slowly. hour. It was a pdy that there was no out, Dublin City Marathon 1981 - here At about 23 miles, my legs seemed to presentation organised for the night, for we come! ■ inner 21 Guaranteed Irish world beaters!

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UNIDARE ROAD RACES On the glorious afternoon or Sunday 30th August 163 men and 36 women assembled at St. Anne's Park Raheny for the First Unidare Road Race. The Ladies Race was a 1 500m event down the main road of St. Annes Park, and had one of the largest turnouts for the Ladies event at a Business Houses meeting. The finish was a close affair with Phil Bridgeman (Container Transport) winning in 5.01 minutes, second was Maura Kirwan (Bank of Ireland Finance) and third place was Angela Brennan (ESB). Bank of Ireland Finance proved easy winners of the Ladies Team event On your marks! Start o f the Unidare B.H.A.A. race at Raheny. with 19 points. A.I.B. were second with which the Power brothers - Noel (Irish 27 points. T h e Donnybrook Athletic Club held Shipping) and Jim (CIE Rail) - were The Mens 6 mile Road Race was around its fourth annual Point-to-Point Road prominent were a further 13 secs adrift. by the coast road, up the Howth Road race on Saturday 12th September. The At Cornelscourt Dooney had increased and finishing with the 1500m straight race started as usual in Bray but this his lead to 11 secs with Con Power in St. Anne's Park. This course proved a year finished at the New Sports rapidly overhauling McGrath but Noel real test of stamina in such warm Complex in Belfield instead of Power was in trouble with a stitch. Here conditions. Donnybrook Garage as heretofore. Pat Hooper began to move up with Kevin Maloney (Dublin County Council) Three hundred and fifteen athletes, Dermot McShone, Smith, Reilly raced home with a time of 29 minutes including twenty girls lined up for the (Players/Wills) doing heavy work at the 58 seconds to beat Pat Hooper (PMPA) start. The first mile was covered in 4 front of the group. Dooney was well into second place. With the sweltering mins 35 secs but such was the quality of ahead at Stillorgan with Con Power sunshine all the way the race was not the field that no break was apparent, clear of McGrath. L. Nolan (Dept, of expected to be a fast one, but although the field was well strung out. Public Services) began to show up well maintaining an average 4 minutes 59 The break however was to come soon and passed Hooper to take fourth place. seconds per mile Kevin proved a worthy and passing Loughlinstown Hospital a Meanwhile Greta Hickey was going winner. Pat Hooper, making a group of twenty surged clear. On the very well as she led the ladies section - comeback after an injury was pleased climb beyond the Silver Tassie, Roy the Misses Kelly and Butler were with second place in 30 minutes 50 Dooney had a lead of 3 seconds over running side by side, not for the first seconds. Third was J. Power (CIE Rail) Mattie McGrath with Con Power 4 secs time. At the turn into Belfield Dooney in 31 minutes 24 seconds. further back. The chasing group in was a minute clear of Power ■

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To run the marathon in a really good Fast Slow time the leading runners w ill have to PHOENIX PARK be averaging five minute miles. 11.00 a.m. 11.00 a.m. Our estimated times of arrival at (>oints on the course are calculated on this 11.25 a.m. 11.50 a.m. V. basis. There is a comparable chart for FURRYGLEN^***^ the slower runner. 11.50 a.m. 12.40 p.m. 12.06 p.m. 1.12 p.m. CHAPELIZOD PEARSE STATION 12.15 p.m. 1.30 p.m. LEINSTER HOUSE -M 12.40 p.m. 2.10 p.m. BALLYFERMOT 5 ^ St. Stephen’s Greenr. ® 25 KILMAINHAM 1.05 p.m. 3.00 p.m. V 1.11 p.m. 3.15 p.m. DOLPHINS 26.2 Miles r . i r . BARN START/FINISH ^ 26 Miles LEESON ST. By Jim Dowling HOOPER TO WIN ? Though anything from six thousand to race and again in the B.L.E. Marathon, distances. Miss Murphy ran three hours eight thousand competitors will line up will line up as the only lady in the race to three minutes last year and has to be for the R.T.E. Radio 2 Dublin City break three hours for the distance. She favourite this year. I believe she is Marathon, the race for first place looks sure to improve on her best time of capable of breaking two hours forty and concerns a mere handful of athletes. two hours fifty eight minutes but she is sure to make a big impact in the Indeed, despite the likely presence of faces a formidable challenge for the forthcoming Cross Country season. such as Brian Keeney, Pat Hooper, first prize. Marie Murphy Dundrum Greta Hickey DCH will be another in Paddy Murphy, Mick Byrne and Jim A.C., Deirdre Nagle D.C.H. and Emily strong contention. Miss Murphy, Miss McGlynn many see the contest for the Dowling D.C.H. all fininshed in front of Hickey, Mrs. Nagle, Walsh and Dowling first place as a straight fight between her in the Clonliffe Twenty. Miss can all break three hours and they can B.L.E. Marathon Champion Dick Hooper Murphy finished three minutes in front be joined by Mary Doyle of Slaney Side of Raheny Shamrocks and Niall Cusack of Mrs. Nagle in that race but Deirdre and any of the other three ladies who of Limerick who won the 1974 Boston finished very strongly. Since then Miss beat three hours ten in the B.L.E. Marathon. Murphy has shown tremendous Marathon. In last year's Marathon, improvement on the track. Mrs. Nagle, Beginners can take heart from Cusack finished four minutes and the National 3000 m and 1500 m the fact that last year, Seamus Duffy, a twenty six seconds (i.e. three quarters champion, is undoubtedly the class beginner ran two hours fifty five of a mile) behind Hooper. Apparently in athlete in the race but she is relatively minutes for the distance and finished in the B.L.E. Marathon in’Corkthere wasa inexperienced over the longer 120th place. ■ .moment at the halfway stage as Hooper, Keeney, Murphy and Cusack slogged it out together, when Hooper weakened. Cusack asked Murphy to make the break with him but Murphy refrained and Hooper recovered to beat Keeney by one minute and seven seconds and Cusack by three minutes eleven seconds, both decisive margins of victory. Keeney will hardly have recovered sufficiently from his exertions in the European Team Championship to do himself justice in the R.T.E. 2 Marathon, so will Hooper have another moment of weakness and can Cusack take advantage of it? Personally I doubt it. I got the impression when interviewing Hooper that he is reserving his best shot of all for October 26th. He is unbeaten over twenty miles in Ireland and being Dublin based will have plenty of opportunity to run over the course. He should win for the second year. In the absence of last years leading lady Carey May, Mary Walsh Clonliffe Harriers, second to Carey in last year's Irish Runner

Government Buildings the twenty six miles come to an end but the .2 can seem almost as long. Grab the sight of the Finish, keep it there and MARATHON hang on. Words can't adequately describe the marathon course nor make anyone see it through their own COURSE eyes. So my advice is to drive, cycle or jog it in advance, at least the areas you don't know. It could be - a guide By Mary Butler one thing less to worry about on the morning when you'll want surprises kept to a minimum. ■ M ost participants in "the" the fact that it's uphill. Although it Marathon on 26th October will be levels off somewhat, with the embarking on an unfamiliar landmarks of the Cheshire Home to Win a Seiko . experience, but one factor need not the right and the Ordance Survey be totally new: the route. While Offices to the left, you may be glad quartz watch * legs, lungs and mental reserves enough to leave again by the face the unknown it's a confidence Ashtow n Gate. booster to know, at least literally, Here, almost coinciding with 'where you're going', the ten-mile mark, last year's route Setting out from Stephen's Green is resumed. Ahead are the Navan earlier in September on a very Road, Nephin Road and then sunny, averagely-busy day it was Finglas where, just above the hard to imagine the thronged Dairies, it's half-way. Try not to morning of the marathon or the think about half-way for too long, it streets taken over by runners. All can be as daunting as it's the same the density of numbers encouraging so think of fifteen can be expected to remain high in miles. Then sure anyone can do the early stages - at least through tw enty..... the relatively narrow inner city The course takes a right turn onto Coombe and Cork Street areas. Glasnevin Avenue (formerly called More turnings and streets seemed Ballymun Avenue, in case you’re to be involved in the first seven following a less-up-to-date map of miles or so of the course than on the Dublin). A long, straight stretch remainder. Much of this part is also follows, leaning gradually down new, though not, of course towards the coast. All runners can additional, since last year. The be excused for the conviction from in our Irish Runner runner's first impression of here on that all downhills are spaciousness will be on reaching merely flat. Essay Competition the canal and for those who really The centre of Raheny is by-passed We ask readers to write an essay of want to feel they've taken over the by going down Watermill Road and 700 to 1000 words on the theme roads of Dublin you get the chance by the time Dublin Bay greets your "Why I run". to run the wrong way down a one­ anxious eyes you will have gone Entries will be adjudicated by a way street. beyond the twenty-mile barrier. panel of judges and the winner will Then from Sarsfield Street What is left to be said? Really try to have his or her essay reproduced everyone turns off to do a loop of switch onto automatic here and in the RTE Radio 2 Marathon some two miles through keep moving. The coast road itself Results Special. Ballyfermot. If it's any consolation offers no distractions. Just The winner will also receive a the first five miles of the journey are concentrate on getting yourself Seiko quartz watch to the value of now clocked up. On re-joining the back into town and you're home. £100 and the second prize will be main road though, be warned: an Fairview will never have looked a Seiko quartz stopwatch. Both extremely sharp, left turn downhill quite the same...... and as for watches are being offered as is approaching. So hold onto your W estland Row'...... prizes by Timemark Ltd. in If you're a veteran of last year then conjunction with Irish Runner. Achilles tendon as you take it. you have the psychological The winners will also receive a free Now for St. Laurence's Road, trees advantage at this stage of not annual subscription to Irish suddenly replace the housesandfor having to face the long trek out to Runner and the prizes will be those with enough time to look Donnybrook and back, so persuade presented on the night of the RTE around them the dark green of the yourself it's a short cut. It just might Radio 2 Dublin City Marathon. Phoenix Park is visible over to the work! Somewhere beyond We look forward to receiving your right. entries. Having crossed Chapelizod Bridge Note: Since this article was written the This is the first in a series of essay the Park is surprisingly close. Going marathon course has been altered competitions which we hope to in Chapelizod Gate for three more somewhat. The lap of the Green is now run in Irish Runner. miles of greenery, don't expect it to omitted and the race route now includes be a picnic. Nothing can disguise West Finglas. See details on Map. ______★______26 Irish Runner a Irish Results & Fixtures IftllNNER Mallow Metric Marathon There was an entry of 250 for this well organised event run in intense humidity, which caused many athletes to suffer dearly for misjudging the pace. The distance of the race was 26.2 kilometres (about 161/2) A group of about 10 broke away soon after the start and set a lively pace almost disregarding the weather conditions. After halfway, Der O'Riordan broke clear and seemed set for victory until caught a few miles from home by Richie Crowley and Pat Whyte. From there, Crowley's vast experience over his younger rivals began to tell and he bravely held on to coast home a popular winner from the fast finishing Donie Walsh and Jerry Murphy. We asked Richie afterwards if he'd have a crack at the R.T.E. 2 Marathon and he replied "No way. I have to give the others a chance. Today's race was long enough, thank you. It's the longest race • Runners early after start of Mallow metric marathon. I've ever won and, I'll tell you, I was fairly tired at the end of it". The race route is very scenic and a Results of Mallow Metric Marathon AMERICAN NEWSLETTER classic is in prospect through With the approach of the Autumn, the Pennsylvanian farm country, close to 1. Richie Crowley (St. Finbarrs) Marathon season is ushered in with the well known Villanova University, 1.31.48 New York in October, followed by the along the Delaware River, and finishing 2. Donie Walsh (Leevale) 1.32.34 new Philadelphia race in November. at Independence Hall in Central 3. J. Murphy (Leevale) 1.32.50 New York, as everyone knows, is now Philadelphia. 4. D. Casey (Riocht) 1.33.20 the biggest and most lavish Marathon of The field will possibly be the finest ever 5. M. Carey (Leevale) 1.34.02 them all. The numbers will be limited to assembled for an American classic 6. P. Duffy (Leevale) 1.34.26 16,000 for safety reasons and this will Marathon and because of the downhill 7. G. Meaney (Leevale) 1.35.42 mean that there will be about 40,000 nature of the course, the times will no 8. W. Desmond (Unattached) 1.36.44 disappointed runners whose entries doubt be excellent. That great Marathon 9. J. Buckley (St. Finbarrs) 1.37.12 will have to be refused. pace setter, Garry Fanelli is expected to 10. D. Burke (Cork Road Runners) The New York race starts in Staten set a scorching pace for the first 15 1.37.26 Island and from there will go through miles or so. From there, I expect the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Rodgers, Virgin, Salazer or one of the finishes in Manhatten. About 2.5 Japanese to take it up and establish million people are expected to line the Philadelphia as one of the Big route to view this great spectacle. Marathons. The new Philadelphia race is the result Interest here in Philadelphia in running of the merger of two races run for many has never been greater and I'm sure years due to a conflict of interest in both that the 10,000 plus who start this race camps. The race will begin in the will help make it one of the classic historic Washington Park at Valley marathons in the future. Forge where General Washington I'll have more news from America next camped before attacking General issue, including up to the minute news Cornwallis and his later defeat at York on Irish athletes back after the summer town. vacation. John P. Keane

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• Dessie O 'Connor (winner) leads John * CULLINANES * Linehan in KiHarney half marathon. * * Pic....Fr. Liam Kelleher. ¥ 122 Barrack Street, * Killarney Half Marathon Dessie O'Connor of Marble City Striders ¥ Cork. * Tel. 021-25834 was the impressive winner of the Killarney ¥ * Half Marathon held on the 13th of September. O’Connor, who led from the ¥ A G R EA T PLACE * start was chased home by J. Linehan of ¥ Riocht and John O’Toole of Tullamore TO RELAX AFTER * finished 3rd. The race run a beautiful scenic ¥ A LONG RUN! * course in Killarney was a great success and over three hundred competed. It is ¥ * certainly an event to pencil in for next year. Irish Runner 27 THE PONY BRITISH ULSTER MARATHON m apathSn / Marathonsthe world over, are getting bigger and bigger and the Pony British Marathon held in Bolton, England, on August 23rd was reckoned to be the biggest in Europe and second only to New York in terms of popular interest. I was greatly impressed by the organisatioon, led by Irishman Vince Regan, and so too were the R.T.E. 2 representatives who travelled over to gain some helpful hints on how to handle a popular marathon. As soon as the last runner had completed the course, in over 7'/2 hours, Vince was already talking in terms of an even bigger Marathon next year. It was estimated that about one million people turned out to witness this marvellous Photo: Declan Doherty. spectacle and it is really of minor • Start of Ulster Marathon. interest to tell you that the 'race' was Ulster Marathon - A great won by Stan Curran in a time of success five minutes outside his best. miles to a deserved win in a good time of Maybe it was the hot day that slowed Once again the promotion of the Ulster 2.26.45. Twenty seven athletes broke down the front runners and made it a Marathon by Letterkenny A.C. was first the 3 hour barrier and 80 were under 4 day to enjoy for the joggers. Over £1 class. There was an entry of 1 57 and 92 hours. Letterkenny won the team award million was raised for various charities finished. The defending Champion, Billy while D. Brannigan won the veterans by various runners, the most famous of Gallagher, pulled away in the last few and Ann Hancock won the ladies. whom was the 'veteran' TV personality Jimmy Saville. In fact, I believe that Report on the Marathon of Colosseum with Coca Cola supplying Jimmy raised over £120,000 for his sufficient refreshments to flood the river named charity - Stoke Mandeville History and Peace - Rome Tiber. Sunday 6th September,1981 The race was won by the Australian Robert Hospital ^ Michael Joyce De Castella in 51:01:2) from the Italian Result. An estimated 20,000 runners assembled in St. Peter’s Square under a scorching Michelangelo Arena 52:37:3, Britain’s 1. S. Curran 2.19.23 Bernie Ford 52:46:5 and Sweden’s Tommy 2. D. Austin 2.23.34 Roman sun on Sunday morning 6th September, 1981 for the start of an Person 53:27:4. The first woman home was 3. A. Sladen 2.24.10 Norway’s Crete Waitz who finished in 21st 4. W. Domoney 2.24.39 international 18 Km race which was called the Marathon of History and Peace.____ place in a time of 57:42:2. 5. B. Heath 2.24.55 Eddie Spillane and myself were fortunate 6. P. Blakeney 2.25.37 ByMichael O'Connell enough to take part in the race which was 7. P. Hayward 2.26.04 The race was run throught the historical an incredible spectacle. I sprinted past a 8. K. Best 2.26.04 areas of Rome and despite the intensity of German a few meters from the finish and in 8. K. Best 2.26.55 the climate and the competition the runners keeping with the atmosphere of the 9. T. Coulton 2.27.11 had to admire and marvel at the ruins of occasion he shook my hand as we lined up 10. M. Firth 2.27.22 Caeser’s ancient empire, the magnificent with a long line of athletes at the finishing 11. M. James 2.28.15 monuments including the Ville Borghese, tunnel. I reminded the German that 2,000 12. B. Watson 2.28.51 Piazza del Popolo, the Spanish Steps, the years ago the loser would probably have Trevi Fountain, the Piazzo Venezia and the been fed to the lions in that area under Cestia Pyramid. The race finished at the which we stood. Fourth Annual 9. J. O’Leary 2.36.18 Frank Duffy Memorial Big Jum p in Marathon 10. N. McDaid 2.44.16 Road Race (10 miles) Standards 11. J. McDonagh 2.47.27 I recently uncovered a newspaper dipping How many people can remember Pat Sunday 11th October, 1981 giving the ranking lists for the year 1970. McMahon the Clareman who finished 3rd in the Phoenix Park, Dublin The track times that year for men were in the Boston Marathon in 19707 His time at 12 noon sharp quite good. As examples, Brendan for the distance then stood as an Irish record Sponsors: MERCANTILE CREDIT O’Regan tops the 100 metres list with 10.5 until Neil Cusack won the 'Boston' four seconds, Fanahan McSweeney the 200 years later. Ironically, it was Danny ' Prizes: metres and 400 metres with 21.1 and 46.1 McDaid, ranked over 7 minutes behind 1st 10 Individuals, and in the 10,000 metres an Irish Junior 1st 3 teams (3 to score) McMahon in 1970, who in turn lifted the record (which still stands) of 30 minutes 17 record from Cusack when winning the 1st 3 veterans, seconds was only good enough to place a National title in 1976. 1st in age-groups (over 45) certain F. Greally in fifth spot for the year. Most of the other runners appearing in the 1st 3 ladies, But the most interesting of the lists was the above list are still running today. Eddie 1st lady veteran (over 35) one for the Marathon. It reads as follows:- Spillane’s best time of 1970 would have 1. P. McMahon 2.14.53 placed him only 14th in this year's National Entries by 3 October to: 2. I). McDaid 2.22.13 T LYNCH, Marathon. Incidentally, Eddie is still 3. E. Spillane 2.30.01 running well and was 32nd in this year's * 84 Fortfield Road, 4. J. Moriarity 2.30.58 ^ ^ Dublin 6. ® 908000 National Marathon in a time of 2.39.57. 5. C. McIntyre 2.32.03 Similarly, 11th ranked of 1970 (J. Entry Fee £1 per athlete 6. J. O'Neill 2.35.08 McDonagh in 2.47.27) would not have 7. VY. Dunne 2.36.07 been in the top 50 in this year's national 8. F. O'Leary 2.36.18 championship. By Michael Joyce 2 8 Irish Runner

The Irish Runnerleam was in The Roadrun Edinburgh for the Highland Games in August. These The story is told of a man of games suffered in recent fifty seven competing in last years from adverse publicity year's R.T.E. Radio 2 over sponsorship and alleged Marathon. He reached the payments to athletes, twenty mile mark by Amien however, this year’s fare Street Station and stopped went off well except for a through exhaustion. A disappointing crowd of about woman rushed forth from a 5,000. Ireland's Jerry nearby pub and thrust a glass Kiernan was a close second of brandy into his hands to local hero Nat Muir in the saying, "Here son drink this 3000 metres. Jerry's time and you will finish”. The man was 7.56.6. Dave Murray gulped down the brandy and was 3rd in the High Jump, thus invigorated he did Patricia Walsh was 3rd in the indeed finish. Only when he Discus, Fionnula Morrish gathered his wits about him was 4th in the mile and Brian at the finish did he realise Dunne faded to fourth in a that right uptothe moment of hotly competitive 400, weakness at Amiens Street for interview w ith Walker in future issue of Irish Runner. metres. Feature of the games he had been a pioneer all his was a world record of 16f life. Anne M. Archibold who was One spectator and ten 8'/2ins. throw over the bar by * runner up in thisyearsB.L.E. athletes were taken to an American and a women's wheelchair 100 metres world One thousand four hundred National 800m Champion­ hospital during last year's record by Briton, Barbara and twenty runners finished ship was the fifth lady to Marathon. One athlete was Howie who wheeled the last years R.T.E. Radio 2 finish in 3 hrs 35 mins 5 secs. knocked down by a bicycle. * distance in an amazing time Dublin City Marathon. Forty No deaths resulted and none Marie Murphy, Dundrum one were women. Dick were detained in hospital. of 20.81 seconds. Hooper was the first man to A.C. third in this years * That great New Zealand Watch for your name, place finish in 2 hrs 16 mins 14 National 3000m National Marathon runner, Jack and time in the secs. Christopher A. Dolly Ladies Championship and an Foster recently recorded a was the last runner to finish unlucky fourth in the 1500m Marathon Results Edition time of 2.22.48, 8 days after in 6 hrs 6 mins 12 secs. Championship is expected to of Irish Runner. his 49th birthday. Jack set Carey May (then of Dublin make a formidable challenge In the shops Thurs. Nov. 12th the world veterans record at City Harriers) was the first for the ladies title in this woman to finish in 2 hrs 42 years R.T.E. Radio 2 2.11.19. in 1974 at the age of 42. The month of August, 1981 mins 1 1 secs. Marian must surely go down in the O'Connell was the last records books as the most woman to finish in 5 hrs 45 From the total of 8094 official extraordinary period of mile mins 37 secs. There were entrants in the recent Pony record breaking runs. On seven men behind her.... Marathon there were 130 August 19th, Sebastian Coe Only Carey May beat three "Smiths". Their cousins, the recorded 3.48.53. knocking hours but fifteen women "Smyths" numbered 5. Well, 03 seconds off Steve Ovetts finished in under four hours. it was mooted as the event for year old record. Ovett came It required a time of at least 2 all the family! back on August 26th to hrs 52 mins 46 secs to be in The Official programme was reduce the record to 3.48.40. the top hundred. This was the nicely produced and all Amazingly, Coe sliced 1.07 time run by Jeremiah Patrick entrants names appeared in seconds from this on August Lyons. Sean Lavin, 3 hrs 29 alphabetical order with one 28th when racing home from exception - number 1. The mins 21 secs was the 500th Kenyan Mike Boit(3.49.45) in number was donned by the competitor to finish. Michael 3.47.33. In this latter race number one charity runner McMahon 4 hrs 10 mins was Vince Regan race,director Ireland's Eamon Coghlan himself the 1000th competitor to Pony Marathon and former Jimmy Saville. was 8th in 3.53.30. and Ray - finish. Flynn was 10th in 3.56.83. * Mary Cherry her mother National Ladies Cross The illustrious Deirdre Nagle Coe believes he can reduce Marie Cherry and her father Country Champion, Carol the current National 3000m the record still more. After David Cherry all finished a Meagan helped out at the and 1500m Champion and the race he said "I felt second apart in 4 hrs 43 mins Clontarf feeding station last 1979 3000m Champion of remarkably easy and I have 5 secs, 6 secs and 7 secs year and intends to be there Britain is also an intended never felt stronger in a record approximately. again this year. runner this year. race".

TOM MURPHY 58 PATRICK ST CORK Mens Fashions MENS FASHIONS Dress Hire Service, Phone Cork 22401 Irish Runner 29

The world Marathon record The Summer Road Race for men has improved some League organised by 20 minutes 28 seconds since Ballycotton A.C. Co. Cork was 1926. More startling is the a superb success this year improvement in the women's with huge fields turning out record for the same 55 year for the 5 mile races at period. G rete Waitz’s 1980 Ballycotton, Churchtowm New York time was a South, Ballyandreen and whopping one hour and 15 Shanagarry. Going into the minutes faster than Violet last race, Midleton's Pat Piercy's recorded time in Whyte held a narrow 9 1926. Experts believe that seconds overall lead on HALF MARATHON the 17 minute gap between aggregate times from St. (13 miles 192 yards) the men's and women's Finbarr's Richie Crowley and records will be cut consider­ he retained his lead to clinch CLOSED EVENT UNDER BHAA RULES ably more in the next few a well deserved victory. Both years. Pat and Richie are very popular "Runners runners" on Sat. 3rd October 1981 in the South and the a t 11 a.m . competitive Richie declares that neither Pat of anyone else is going to take away his AT PHOEIMIX PARK Cork Cross Country title from him too easily. He won it last year for the first time after 16 PRIZES FOR THE FOLLOWING: attempts and 6 second i f Ladies’ Team and Individual placings. i f Men’s Team Grades A, B, C and Individual * ic V eterans At the recent Asian games i f Special Prize for overall winner held in Tokyo, the Boston Marathon Winner, T. Seko won the 10,000 metres in ENTRY FEE: Men £ i or £5 team o f 6 (Best 4 count) Women £1 or £3 team o f 3 (Best 2 count) Peter Deering. Director 28.44.98. Another Japanese Timemark Ltd. and Patrica runner, Ishii won the 1500 ENTRIES BEFORE 30th SEPTEM BER TO : Rogers. Sales Administration in metre in the slow time of P. McCarthy, 11 Rockfield Ave., Terenure, Dublin 12 training. 3.50.63. and Indonesian Phone Home 504232 Business 756701 Ext. 5920 * Saini won the 5000 metres in Vincent Brown the dynamic in 13.52.22. editor of "Magill" magazine Proceeds to Irish Wheelchair Association took part in last year's R.T.E. * Radio 2 Dublin City The Wexford Junior Chamber Marathon. Vincent decided to of Commerce organised the run after a group of his inaugural winning of the friends got interested in the Rosslare-Wexford Half- idea. “I started the 'crash' Marathon. schedule the previous June The race was run under very TINRYLAND ATHLETIC CLUB which involved alternating hot conditions much to the (B.L.E.) twelve and six mile runs. A liking of winner Dick Hopper few weeks before the race I ('this is my type of weather'). ROCKFORD ROOF TILE 4-mile ROAD RACE got injured and when I got fit Dick completed the fast again I did a thirteen mile run course in the very good time at and a seventeen mile run too of 64 minutes 30 - and looked TINRYLAND close to the day of the race". in superb form throughout. Still Vincent finished and is This was Dick's last 'outing' (3 miles from Carlow town — off Wexford Road) out to break four hours this prior to defending his Dublin year. When I asked him what Marathon title. He finished 7 SUNDAY OCT. 18 1981 (3 p.m.) he thought of the reception minutes ahead of 'local boy' from the crowd last year he Dave Dempsey (Slaneyside) PRIZES: with Ray Kinsella (Crusaders) First 10 individuals said "I had been doing most First 3 team s G rade A of my training on my own and running on strongly to take First 2 teams Grade B they distracted me. That and 3rd place. First 3 veterans (over 40) listening to other competitors All credit to the Junior First 3 juniors (under 19) talking about how they were Chamber for their organis­ 1980 Winner — John Bolger (Crusaders A.C.) feeling when I was feeling ation. Perhaps next year they 19 mins. 40 secs. not too good myself added to could arrange for a few more Also Ladies’ and boys and girls u/14 races the agony". Vincent says he sponges along the route. I'm Total Prize Fund over £700 would not run unless he had sure these would have been Entriesto: DenisShannon a specific objective in mind appreciated by the runners Tinryland, Carlow and thinks he might be better on that hot Sunday. They O (0503)42570 should also improve the off doing four miles three Entry Fees £3.00 per team : £1 per individual times per week rather than a quality of the prizes which crash course for the seemed somewhat modest in marathon. Still, he intends to contrast to the efforts of the competitors. Teams entered after October 12 be there on the day. will automatically be placed in Grade A Irish Runner We think of you! 30 Irish Runner

• The organising committee of this year's RTE Radio 2 Dublin City Marathon. Left to right Mick Gomm, Ned Sweeney, Bertie Messitt. Brian Price, Frank Slevin, Ciaran Looney, Paddy Lennon and Alex Sweeney. BHA.A COMMITTEE We went along to the recent Gowan preparing for this event since October of To all those involved in organisation and Motors Marathon Talk-in in at the last year and have visited the London planning on the big day we say good assembly in St. Vincents Hospital and and Manchester marathons to gain luck. To the runners we say...remember found that the idea for this type of clinic further experience into the planning these individuals and companies on has really caught on. and organisation of marathons catering race day and think of the effort that they The panel of speakers was made up of for the masses. The committee, we have made to make this day such a Dick Hooper, Neil Cusack, Noel Henry found, is made up of a group of milestone in Irish running and Irish and Mary Purcell, all runners of top dedicated individuals who work well sport in general. Give them your full co­ calibre. Each speaker spoke with much together and plan to make the RTE operation and enjoy your run. • authority on preparation...training etc. Radio 2 Dublin City Marathon a truly for the marathon and afterwards great event. The committee are doing Frank Greatly answered questions from the large their very best to compliment the efforts audience who obviously found the talk- of the runners and it is heartening to in very beneficial and stimulating. Full see that they can do this on a voluntary Wanted Urgently ...... * marks to Ian McNeill, General Manager basis in such a professional manner. Gowan Motors (Merrion Ltd.) for Also providing a vital back up service on SALESPERSON coming up with this talk-in idea. The Marathon Monday will be companies next talk-in will be held at the same like Timemark Ltd. who provide the Person to sell advertising venue on Oct. 6th. We would highly timing through Seiko watches and recommend that all would be clocks; Smurfit Computing who compile space for Irish Runner. marathon runners in the Dublin area to the results; Hertz car rentals who will be Candidates should have an go along. providing a fleet of cars and Sag interest in distance running Brian Price and Frank Slevin of the Wagons for those who are forced to B.H.A.A organising committee were drop out; CIE who will also provide a and some experience in also on hand that evening to talk about back up fleet of buses, St. Johns advertising sales would be the organisation of the marathon and Ambulance, who will provide 200 also to present a visual of the course personnel; the Irish Heart Foundation an advantage. The position through a series of colour slides. We who will provide four cardiac would ideally suit a lady or gained a great insight into the amount ambulances, and of course the Gardai gent ages 19-25 or a retired of effort that goes into planning and who will be responsible for the traffic organising such a big event. The and safe passage of the runners person who would like some B.H.A.A. committee have been throughout the race. part-time work. The position is part-time, three days per week, and the job offers a basic salary and excellent commission. Apply in writing in the first instance stating age and experience to: The Editor, Irish Runner, P. O. Box /Vo. 1227 Dublin 8. Running

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