Cork runners make podium finish at Portumna Marathon...

In the world of Marathon running, the world top events are members of AIMS...The Association of International Marathons and Distance Races. To get AIMS accreditation, an event needs to be measured to a higher international standard which in effect acts like a quality mark that shows the course has been measured properly.

For entry to some Marathons for example like say Boston, you need to run a certain time on what the organisers refer to as a 'certified course'. For qualifying courses outside of the USA and Canda, the Boston Marathon refers to the list on the AIMS website.

In Ireland, there are five Marathons with AIMS accreditation...Dublin, Belfast, Cork, Longford and Portumna.

Last Saturday, the 15th of June, the Portumna Forest Marathon in Co.Galway was held in bright conditions with just the odd shower ;o)

There were a number of different races on the day including a Half-Marathon, full Marathon and a 50 km  and 100 km Ultra-Marathon. Now in it's fourth year, it has now firmly established itself as one of the main events of the year for anyone in the country with an interest in Marathons and distance running.

In the Marathon this year, two fellow club mates from Eagle AC in Cork took podium finishes with Ann Cashman winning the womens race and Grellan McGrath taking second place in the mens race. Both are now listed on the AIMS website for results in June 2013 along with all of the other international Marathons.

Another performance to note was that of Annameria Costelloe of Gneeveguilla AC in Kerry who not only was the winner of the womens race in the Half-Marathon but also beat the first man by over a minute!

Having gone there since it first started, I can say that it really is a unique event and completely unlike the more usual town or city Marathons. The looped nature of the course and the interaction between the runners doing the same or different races give this event a unique atmosphere. You can find out more about the Portumna Forest Marathon HERE.

Credits...with thanks to Peter & Rory Mooney for the use of the photos