80-year-old Kay and Joe cross marathon finish line hand-in-hand
By Sean O'Riordan
Husband and wife Joe and Kay O'Regan, both 80 years old, got a fantastic reception as they held hands when they crossed the finish line of Irish Examiner Cork City Marathon today.
They showed few ill effects, while up to 60 people - many a third of their age - were treated by paramedics for breathing difficulties, dehydration and sprains.
To the loundest applause of the day, the couple from Ennicorthy, Co Wexford, crossed the finishing line in 5hrs, 25mins and 24 seconds.
Both Kay and Joe turned 80 this year - Joe on February 24 and Kay on March 18. They have been married for 57 years.
"We're big into vegetables and fruit. We're not on any medication and don't smoke or drink either. But we'll celebrate with a glass of champagne," declared Joe who has completed 29 marathons compared to his wife's 113.
Kay said she was "holding back a bit" because her husband wasn't used to long-distance running.
They kissed and declared this was definitely her last marathon.
Seamus Jordan, 49, from Slaney Olympics athletic club who ran alonside them, said: "They're a truly amazing couple."
"For the first 17 miles we averaged nine minutes and 30 seconds per miles, after that we eased it off to 11 minute miles."
Another major roar went up when Damien Coleman, 33, from Blackrock Hurling Club in Cork crossed the line with the sliotar still balanced on his hurley.
"I may have dropped it 25 times on the way, which isn't bad," he said.
He finished in 4 hours 28 minutes, and destroyed the former Guinness Book Of Records time for 'soloing' by an hour and a half.
"I'll hopefully be back again next year to try and beat the time I did. I hope to make around €1,000 in sponsorship which will be divided evenly between Cork Simon and the hurling club," said Damien who lectures in mechanical vehicles at CIT.
Congrats to Damien Coleman @RockiesCork who set a Guinness World record today by soloing a sliotar for 4hrs 28mins. pic.twitter.com/kwD2G9cgKv
— Barry O'Mahony (@barryomahony_9) June 6, 2016
4 hours 28 mins. Damien Coleman
— Blackrock Hurling (@RockiesCork) June 6, 2016
World Record holder for soloing a sliotar during a marathon pic.twitter.com/LBi1DYa7w8
Alex O’Shea, who broke the Guinness World Record in 2014 when he ran the Cork City Marathon in full fire-fighting gear, finished today's marathon in 11th place in a time of 2 hours, 48 minutes and 59 seconds.
To make it an even more remarkable feat, he had just completed a 24-hour shift with the Cork City Fire Brigade a hour before the race started.
Gerard McLean was another notable runner as he completed the marathon running in full paramedic gear.
The winner of the full marathon was Philip Harty from Dungarvan, Co Waterford who completed the 26.2 mile course in 2 hours, 32 minutes and 59 seconds.
"I enjoyed it up to the last mile when I started cramping up a bit. The heat got tough in the last couple of miles, but the crowds were fantastic and they really kept me going," the 37-yeat-old fireman said.
It was his first appearance in the Cork full marathon.
Eoin Sugrue, a HSE physiotherapist from Banteer, Co Cork followed him less than four minutes later.
"I'm 43, but I feel about 21 at the moment," he declared seconds after crossing the line. "It's nice to be the first Corkman home. I do about 60 to 70 miles training a week. As soon as I go home I'll have a pint."
The female winner the full marathon was Nollaigh O’Neill, 44, from Passage West, Co Cork, who completed it in 3 hours and 41 seconds.
"My mental strength got me through. My daughter, Sarah Hunter, completed in this year's relay, so hopefully there's another marathon runner there one day," Nollaig said.
The men's half marathon title was captured by Kenyan-born Peter Somba, 24, in 1 hour and 11 minutes. Peter, from Dunboyne Athletic Club, ran in last year's event, but came 50th because he was carrying an injury.
Aoife Cooke from Youghal, Co Cork won'e the women's half marathon in a time of 1 hour, 25 minutes and 29 seconds.
The relay title went to Cork's Leevale AC, with Chris Mintern, 21, crossing the line for the team after 2 hours and 23 minutes.
For others it was just about participating, having fun dressing up as cartoon characters and in many cases raising money for worthy causes.
Race director Jim O’Donovan said he wanted to congratulate everyone who crossed the finish line.
"It’s a huge achievement, and particular thanks to those who ran for charity raising significant funds for a variety of great causes," he said.
