Philip Magnier - Champ!

1. What running shoes do you train in?

Asics Gel Kayanos.

2. How many miles did you run last week?

0, currently injured. 25-30 would be some kind of average, needs to be upped.

3. What's your favourite racing distance?

In theory, half-marathon, though I need to improve a poor PB, seems to be either hilly or windy or both when I run it.

4. Where's you favourite place to train?

East of Athenry, around Attymon, Kilymer-Daly.

5. What's your favourite race or event each year?

Galway 8k and Craughwell's 10k series.

6. What annoys you most at races?

People cutting across me repeatedly.

7. What race, that you haven't yet run, would you most like to take

part in?

Half- or full marathon in Seville, or somewhere in Spain.

8. What was your best-ever running performance?

I don't feel I have really ever given all I have in any race, not yet anyway, I tend to run conservatively. But winning the club championship at Ballybrit just before we gave cups took a lot out of me, 2.9 miles in 19:05 or so minutes.

9. What was your worst-ever running performance?

Letting Peter Delmer sprint past me at the end on our 10k handicap last summer because I didn't know where the finish was. Or am I just rationalising it?

10. What's the strangest thing that you've ever seen on a training run?

Not so much seen as experienced. Several years ago I had a role in a musical and was just starting to do 5+ miles in training. Even though I was knackered by performing in the show, I still turned up for the Sat morning run. Mick "I'm sure it's the next left" Rice took us on a mystery tour through the lanes of Galway and after getting lost we ended up doing 11.5 miles, at least 5 miles longer than I had run ever. Even though we had guests at our house, I had to go to bed for 6 hours to be anyway ready for the musical performance that evening.

11. Favourite piece of running gear?

Very light and stylish top given after the La Rochelle marathon.

12. Who would you most enjoy beating in a sprint for the line?

Peter Delmer (see 9 above). Phew, that's 3 in a row who mentioned Peter, but I have a good reason. Nothing personal Peter.

13. What was the best bit of training advice you were ever given?

Do one long run a week and remember to rest. The worst was to strengthen my ankles by running in bare feet on grass; I am still out because of it.

14. In ten years time will you still be running?

I might not be running the whole of the 10 year period, but yes.

15. If for some reason you were told you could never run again, how do you think you'd react?

I would be disappointed, but not devastated; there are other forms of activity.

16. Have you ever been bitten by a dog while running?

No, close though, they respond to being shouted at.

17. Have you ever had to stop for an emergency 'Paula' during a race?

I peed while I ran the Achill half-marathon in 2006, and did not get a single drop on myself: the wind was favourable.

18. Favourite post-race food?

Anything savoury, after all the sweet drinks.

19. Most embarrassing ever running-related moment?

Well, probably our Twilight Track Meet 5k and almost being double-lapped by most competitors and having our emcee constantly call out my name in "encouragement".

20. The greatest Irish Athlete of all time is/was?

Runner: Eamon Coughlan; Field events: Pat O'Callaghan, hammer.