This Ultra-Marathon was Gerry's 212th Marathon and as a wheelchair athlete, he has completed more than anyone else in the UK or Ireland. It may well be possible that he has completed more than anyone else in the Europe or even the USA?
Gerry's time for the 100k was 13:02:11. In essence, that means he started the race at 6am on Saturday morning and didn't finish until just after 7pm that evening. In terms of physical effort and endurance, it's just huge. I myself took part in the 50k race with a small group of club members from Eagle AC who traveled up from Cork for the event. By the time we started the 50k race at 8am, Gerry was already two hours into the 100k. We had finished our 50k race and were back home in Cork at 4pm while Gerry was still out on the course with another 3 hours to go!
Just to put the distance into perspective, 100 kms is roughly the equivalent of starting a race on Patrick's Street in Cork City and finishing on O'Connell Street in Limerick City! When put in those terms, it's amazing that anyone could go that far.
Gerry's race wasn't without it's drama though as it looked as if just 10 kms short of the finish line, he would have to pull out due to a slow puncture. However, the organisers managed to find a bicycle pump somewhere and kept Gerry going for the last 2 laps.
Needless to say, you might have thought that Gerry would have tapered especially for this race? Not a bit of it! While a group of us were having a pre-race meal in Portumna at 8pm last Friday, Gerry was taking part in the 4 mile race in Inniscarra in Cork! The mind boggles as to how he could do a race on Friday evening and somehow appear at the start line in Portumna (2.5 hour drive) at 6am the following morning for the 100k!
What's his next adventure? We'll have to wait and see ;o)
Photo Credit...Iain Shaw of Athenry AC
17 comments:
Well done Gerry, that is an incredible achievement. I ran that Hilly 4 miler in Inniscarra last Friday and had no idea what you had instore for the following morning.
Alan - Ballincollig
Fair play Gerry. Super well done !!!
Well done- thats staggering
Amazing, what a hero, his achievements should be acknowledged at a national level. Why doesn't the like of this appear on the national papers?
Great achievement. I also did Inniscarra but had a fine rest in bed the following morning to recover. ;-)
What an inspiration Gerry is. I'm in total awe of his achievements....
Inspirational...well done.
What an inspiration to all. The man is a true gentleman and a legend in the sport.
No complaints or moaning, only get on with it with a smile and a good word for eveyone.
Long may he continue to brighten up our races.
An inspiration to everyone, not just because he competes in so many races but he does so with a smile on his face each and every time.
A legend. In the true sense of the word. Maith thú Gerry
Amazing stuff again from Gerry. Congrats to him.
He did something akin to that recently when he did the Newry Marathon on Sunday and Cork on Monday. The trip back down on Sunday night alone would wipe out some people!!
I'll agree with the others...Inspirational.
D.
He is an inspiration and these achievements should be highlighted more often if only to inspire others. Legend :)
Sincere congrats to Gerry, a true gentleman. His encouragement to others out on a course is very much appreciated.
Well done Gerry a legend.It must be a great feeling to do such an achivement in your home county.Keep those wheels turning.
I must admit I'd overtaken him twice since starting to run. I thought 'what a great effort he's making'. How wrong I was....what a true Trojan. I'm in awe even reading that he did the Newry marathon the night before Cork. Truly amazing stuff.
Gerry is one of the nicest people I ever had the pleasure of meeting and his back ground and how he came to where he is today is unbelievable! Well.done gerry and keep it up!!!! Maria
Amazing Stuff.Well done.
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