What is in a race winner ?
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.
