No loneliness for these long distance runners!

Some are running their first marathon and one is setting off on his 32nd – but what unites the diverse group of Ballinasloe Road Runners setting off to Dublin next week is that their commitment is inspiring others to follow in their footsteps.

Last year’s odyssey saw 20 marathon medals came back to Ballinasloe. Many of those were first time marathon runners – and this year, 31 signed up to join them!

Again there are many on their first marathon; they range in age from 25 to 65, and while some have hard miles behind them, others are recent Couch to 5k runners who just over a year ago would had reservations about signing up for a simple 5k!

One of the marathon first-timers is Marian Ruane – although she’s been a runner for years at a shorter distance.

“Running has always been part of my life having been a member of Ballinasloe & District Road Runners for a number of years and enjoyed many events from 5ks, 10ks to half marathons,” she says.

“Running a full marathon however was never part of the plan – until now!” she adds.

But she was inspired by the journey of the Ballinasloe Road Runners (BRR) Marathon Group 2018; many of whom started their running in the BRR Fit Town Couch to 5k Programme.

So much so that she decided to sign up for Dublin City Marathon.

“Back then it felt like it was a distant dream and now here we are over four months into our Training Plan, tapering for Dublin and it is all beginning to feel very real,” she says.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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