The official count of Athenry AC runners at Dublin in 2012 is 50. An amazing number for a small town. Each runner is listed in categories below, First Timers, PBs, others.
Many thanks to our supporters also: Eoin (Madden) and Aoife, Pearse Hunter, Floyd Feeney, Sharon Sweeney, Granny Noone and Ivor Noone, Lorraine, Will Dowling and family, Shirley Quinn's family, Lyall and Bridget, Val Glavin, husband John Broderick, and baby; the Burke family, Frances Egan, Catherine Magnier, Dee McGrath, Jane-Ann and Ruthann, Tomas Mangan with coke (spelled with a k), Dave Dunne, Grace Magnier, Owen Curran, Mary Rohan and kids, Grainne Breen, Pam, anyone who supported us.
Bridget Anne Walsh was running her 38th marathon, Peadar his 33rd (all in Dublin).
Quotes from our athletes:
Now I know how it feels! I wanted to thank all the Athenry crew for all the help and advice, still can't believe I came from turning up at 9am one sat morning to running a marathon 18 months later! Now if someone can tell me how long this pain lasts!!!
very happy:-)
Fantastic support all the way around. Someone said to us along the way: "there must be no one left in Athenry today they are all up here running"
First and last marathon! (Editorial comment: Now where have I heard that before?)
I didn't stop even once!
The support along the route was fantastic, the shouts of "come on Athenry" show why it is important to wear the Athenry AC vest.
There's always next year. ;)
As they say any day you get a pb is a good day - next year that 3.30 is going to get a hammering - James will you join us ?!!!
From John Daly: "first marathon and ran it 3:52 was on target for 3:45 but at 18 my two legs started to cramp , the pain was phenomenal, the first aid tent at 18.5 wanted me to stop but i was halving none of it.i streched and off i hobbled again , ran another mile and the same thing, strange thoughts started in my head to stop but i could not stop i had raised over 5000 euro for motern neuron and i was not going to let them down, my energy level an breating was 100%, i could do it but the legs were saying diffrent, i developed a strech ,walk run,program of my own in desperation to cross the finish line, i had to stop five times to do this before i crossed the finish line.the crowd chearing was better than any pain killers .mixed feelings on crossing the line delight for doing it, foolish for putting my body trough such pain as the photos show it, two pulled hamstrings the physio tells me , was it worth it .YES"
From 4:15 Pacer: "If I hear one more shout of Come on Athenry, I'm going to join the club and run for them next year".
First Timers
John Daly
Anne Hunter
Assumpta Feeney
Caroline Mitchell
Clare Mitchell
Fiona Doughan
Frances Leahy
Frank Noone
Gearoid Rohan
Jane Mangan
Jim Leahy
Kellie O'Shaughnessy
Kenneth O'Hara
Maire Finn
Mairead Blake
Mairead Sullivan
Maria Lambe
Marian Donohue
Martin Hynes
Michelle Tooher
Pat McDonagh
Shirley Quinn
Tomas Ruane
Yvonne Dowling
PBs
Patrick Kelly
Sinead Brody
Ray Somers
Patrick Forde
Orla McCluskey
Noel Fox
Martin O'Hara
Mark Breen
Maeve Noone
Liam Egan
Kieran Guirey
George Livanos
Frank Burke
Deirdre Quinn
Deirdre Hassett
David Noone
Brian O'Donnell
They Also Served...
Colin Duane
Ray O'Connor
Philip Magnier
Peadar Nugent
Mick Rice
Maura Treasa Beatty
Martin Keane
John Langan
Bridget Anne Walsh
A few photos taken by various people: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pmagnier/sets/72157631897293915/show/