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Monday, October 10, 2011

Gerry Forde to hit the 200 mark in the 2011 Dublin City Marathon...


Gerry Forde, a regular on the road race circuit in Cork has recently completed his 199th Marathon and is going to hit the 200 mark in the Dublin Marathon at the end of October.

Gerry started off his long career as a wheelchair athlete way back in 1992 and completed his first Marathon in Dublin of that year in a time of 3:17. His first Marathon outside of Ireland was in London. At that time, there were very few Marathons in Ireland so the numbers were climbing slowly. Gerry's fastest time for a Marathon came in Belfast in 1999 with a time of 2:54...and his 24th Marathon. At that time, he was training 6 days and 100 miles per week.

Number 27 came in Beijing in China while the halfway mark of 50 was reached in Taunton in Somerset in the south-west of England in 2002. While it took 10 years to notch up the first 50 Marathons, the 2nd 50 were notched up in just 4 years with the magic number 100 coming in the Connemara Ultra-Marathon in 2006...a mere 39.3 miles!

A lot of people would have been content to stop at this stage but not Gerry, he just kept going....and now 5 years later in 2011, he is on 199 Marathons and about break through the 200 barrier.
His list of completed Marathons have seen him travel the globe to 5 continents. Beside Marathons in Ireland and the UK, he has been to Finland, Egypt, Slovak Republic, Isle of Man, Poland, Spain, Turkey, Belgium, France, Sweden, Italy, Austria, Germany, Norway, Denmark, Canada, Australia, Malta, Hungary, Czech Republic, China, Portugal as well as several in the United States (New York, Boston, Nashville, Memphis, Arizona, Chicago and San Diego).


As well as competing in Marathons around the world, Gerry has also travelled all over Ireland and has taken part in road races in each one of the 32 counties. Needless to say, all of that training and the numerous races over the 19 or so years have taken their toll on the wheelchairs used. While most runners might fork out €100 for a new pair of shoes, replacing a racing wheelchair is an expensive affair. They are especially imported from the USA and with the special light weight materials used, each one can cost in the region of €3,000.

In terms of completed Marathons, I asked Gerry if there were any other wheelchair athletes with a similar number. As far as he knows, he has completed more Marathons than any other wheelchair athlete in the UK or Ireland. It would be interesting to know if anyone in mainland Europe has more?

So I asked Gerry one final question.......'After the Dublin City Marathon in October and your 200th Marathon, what's next?'

'300!!' declared Gerry.

It was a silly question


Postscript......Nov 2011......Just to confirm that Gerry did indeed complete his 200th Marathon in Dublin at the end of October and is now well on his way to 300 ;o)

19 comments:

  1. Congratulations Gerry. Legend is a word I think applies to you. Not just for your marathon haul, but also the fact you seem to attend the majority of races that are on locally. And you always do it with a smile. Hope you have a great day in Dublin and enjoy it.

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  2. Completely agree with the last comment. Only doing races in Cork over the past 2 years and Gerry sticks out as an absolute gent. Always smiling and an inspiration to everyone. An incredible achievement.

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  3. Fair play to you Gerry inspiring stuff!! And wishing you the very best of luck for number 200 and beyond!!!

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  4. Lev Yashin's Ghost10/10/11 5:09 pm

    What an inspiring guy!! Also on the road race scene for the last 2 years and Gerry is an ever present. Always a quip on the road and a big smile!

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  5. Geryy is at every road race in Cork - it nearly feels strange if he is not there!! Well done Gerry, incredibale achievement. Best of luck in Dublin!

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  6. the man!!!

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  7. Congratulations Gerry, a fabulous achievement. Good luck in Dublin and for a 100 more!

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  8. 300-Typical answer from that man isnt it!! :) Such a lovely man - always so encouraging when you pass him. All the very best Gerry. I mite see you at Dulin. its lovely to see such a legend get well deserved coverage like this. Well done John

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  9. Gerry is an absolute legend. He is a wonderful guy and a wonderful competitor. Congrats on number 200 and here's wishing you many more years of success from all at Midleton AC.

    John Cashman
    P.R.O
    Midleton A.C.

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  10. Well done jerry, its tough doing all those races and marathons and always reponding with a smile and a quick coment when runner after runner says 'go on jerry' during all events, see ya in dublin

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  11. Go on Gerry you legend! That's a phenomonal record. Here's to 300!

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  12. "beep beep beep coming through" who's that, that's Gerry from Cork boy!!

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  13. Congrats to Gerry. Fantastic achievement, all the best in Dublin! Roll on the 300!!

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  14. John,
    I just want to add my best wishes to Gerry on marathon no. 200. As so any previous commentators said, "a real gentleman".
    Fergus

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  15. Well done Gerry - you always have a positive, friendly word for people during a race....your support of local races is incredible. Enjoy Dublin and hitting the 200 mark !!

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  16. Well done Gerry, YOU are a true gent,. You have a wonderful attitude, enjoy the 200th, here.s hoping to seeing around for a long time to come.

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  17. all the best in dublin JERRY 200 marathons!!it is scarcely believable.I hope the footrest holds. Paddy&Blarney Inniscarra AC

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  18. Due to injury looks like i will not get to the start line with a true Legend and gentleman on this great occasion 200 Marathons.
    Very Special.

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