Guest Post: FEARGHAL CURTIN BACK IN TOP FORM ...by John Walshe

Fearghal (left) on the podium

FEARGHAL CURTIN BACK IN TOP FORM ... By John Walshe

After missing most of the year due to injury, Youghal athlete Fearghal Curtin finished off 2024 in style with a brilliant second place on New Year’s Eve at the São Silvestre da Amadora race in Portugal.

Over a hilly course of 10.270km, Ferghal finished just three seconds behind the winner, Rúben Amaral. The Portuguese runner had set a course record of 30:19 the year before but on this occasion had to run 51 seconds faster to hold off the Irishman as they recorded respective times of 29:28 and 29:31.

Fearghal was proudly wearing his Youghal colours, which are similar to the Sporting Club of Portugal – a branch of the famous Sporting Lisbon football club – that Amaral was running for. So he relished in the support received from the thousands lining the course, who thought the Youghal man was one of their own!

After a great start to 2024 when he recorded a very impressive half-marathon time of 61:45 in Houston, Fearghal had one of the big city marathons in mind but recurring injury problems ruled that out. Back home in Killeagh for Christmas from Wales where he is based, he didn’t slacken off in his training before travelling to Portugal, clocking up a total of 112 miles in the previous week.

Fearghal Curtin, in his Youghal colours, finishing second behind winner Amara

The São Silvestre da Amadora has a chequered history and is the oldest event on the athletics calendar of mainland Portugal. First held in 1975, this was the 49th edition. Winner of that inaugural race was Carlos Lopes, who also won in 1983 and 1986. He would, of course, go on to win the 1984 Olympic Marathon title at Los Angeles ahead of John Treacy.

Two other Olympic champions amongst the women’s winners are Rosa Mota (marathon 1988) and Fernanda Ribeiro (10,000m 1996). The latter – who finished second to Sonia O’Sullivan in the 1995 World Championship 5000m – notched up six victories in row between 1993 and 1998.

There was an extensive prize list on New Year’s Eve, with both winners receiving €1,500. Awards went down to the 25th finisher (both male and female) who received €50 each. There was a entry of almost 2,600 for the race which commenced at 6pm.

All finisher received a medal and - which may raise a few eyebrows to runners here at home -the entry fee up until mid-October was just €12.