Over the Halloween Bank Holiday Weekend, Séamus Cawley of Rathkeale, joined an elite bunch of just 11 to have competed in every Dublin Marathon since its inception way back in 1980.
In the wake of his 42nd outing, Séamus recalled his favourite Dublin Marathon: “I reckon the first one [1980], breaking the three hours by 26 seconds. I was 20 and had loads of energy. I was best man at a friend’s wedding on the Saturday, ran the County Novices (cross-country champion-ships) on the Sunday and then up to Dublin that night for the first marathon the next day.”
He added: “I also really enjoyed the 40th in 2019 when the 13 of us were honoured with the Lord Mayor’s medal and I finished in under four hours, that was special.”
Séamus is a stalwart of West Limerick Athletics Club, of which he is past chairman and still an active committee member.
Of his ongoing daily training regime, he said: “I have plenty of places to train between the Greenway, the new track [Limerick Regional Athletics Hub, Newcastle West] and we also have a cross-country course that was put in place locally. These things make a real difference to runners.”
Also in Séamus’ elite company are Peadar Nugent (80) of Galway, Dubliners Martin Kelly, Donal de Buitléir, John McElhinney, Patrick Gowen, Dominic Gallagher and Mick Carolan, Donal Ward (Donegal) and Séamus Dunne (Meath), while Mary Hickey of Wicklow is now the only woman among this special group.
Jim Aughney, Race Director said, “Running every Dublin Marathon is an impressive feat, and those who have achieved that deserve legendary status.”
The Dublin Marathon is the fourth largest of its kind in Europe and attracted 25,000 entrants (2,100 back in 1980), cheered on by 300,000 spectators, on Sunday.
According to an Economic Report by University College Dublin, the marathon raises around €10 million for charity and is worth in the region of €25 million annually to the local economy.