Monday, May 20, 2013

The Maynooth 10K


What is in a race winner ?


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In the case of Maynooth 10Km race yesterday, we had on podium;

 A former double Olympian, a National Middle distance champion. A reigning National Olympic distance Triathlete, A mountain runner, An Iron-distance triathlete, and another Mountain runner. And shining in amongst the list of winners, 2 Second year students !


Go back in the pack, there’s ultra runners, sprinters, Intercounty players, fathers, daughters, mothers and sons. Fast runners, joggers and walkers

Hundreds of Athletes, not just the winners, but the participants who for their own reason just want to participate.

But back to the Elite – the winners. It takes a lot of training and continuous participation to be able to perform at their level. And their level is high, and something of a beauty to witness.

The average person might not travel to stadiums to see athletes in action, but here on your doorstep is some serious National and International talent. In the time it takes to walk (slowly perhaps) the distance from the start of race in St Patricks College to the finish line on the Carton house avenue, the elite have completed 10km.

That’s fast, that’s impressive !

I enjoy seeing the Athletes and how after 10km they can still sprint to the end, how the intensity to finish is glowing from them as they support each other with ‘great race – well done’.  Not just the Elite – they get a great cheer for winning, but the joggers and walkers too – they’ve completed a personal challenge and shine that achievement with some of the greatest and honest smiles short of kids at Christmas you can ever witness.

The camaraderie is infectious, and we, the onlookers, don’t have to watch from a stadium distance. You can be right in the thick of this adrenalin fest . It’s local, it might be a 5k or 10K it doesn't matter.
What does matter – it’s on your doorstep.