Egan digs extremely deep to clinch World Masters bronze

PETER Egan served up a display of indomitable courage to clinch a bronze medal at this week’s Canoe Marathon World Masters Championships in Pitesti, Romania.

A gold medal winner in this very event back in 2019, the Lucan man had to contend with a lot more this time around as an untimely wrist injury was exacerbated by a draining stomach bug he picked up just a couple of days before the race.

And while he was not able to compete with the pace set by Spanish pair Jesús León and Alberto Lumbreras who finished first and second respectively, he delivered a truly tenacious performance over the 19.3km contest and in 26 degree heat to secure that final spot on the podium just ahead of Thomas Yonley of the USA.

Speaking to The Echo after that fabulous feat, Egan said “I was delighted to get a bronze medal.

“My stomach hasn’t felt that good out here the last few days, whether it was the travelling or a change in food. I wasn’t feeling right and as sharp as I usually am.

“I had also injured my wrist quite badly in the Liffey Descent and it flared up with tendonitis, so I’ve kind of struggled since then.

On the podium with Spanish pair Alberto Lumbreras and Jesus Leon.

“But I went out as hard as I could for as long as I could here.

“The two Spanish guys got away about maybe 3k into the race. They made a break and I just didn’t have the energy or power to stick with them.

“So I went into the next group of three other guys, a Danish guy [Jesper Mikkelsen], an American [Yonley] and an Italian [Andrea Cattaneo]. I settled into that group there and went through the next few laps with them.

“The portage is quite long here and we had four portages and I just didn’t want to burn out on those. It’s a long race and so I paced myself as best as I could.

“On the third portage I was slow getting back in and I dropped back to sixth and had to chase to get back up. Three of us got away together then.

“We had one more long lap with a short lap to go and a portage in between that, so I did what I needed to do to stay in the group while conserving as much energy as I could.

“I knew the last portage was going to be a make or break one because it’s just under a kilometre from the finish.

“I ran as hard as I could and I got back in third with Yonley just behind and I knew, with about 250-300m to go, I had to make a move and increase the pace.

“He stayed with me and came right up alongside, so I just had to find that extra gear and I drove it home as much as I could.

“I was delighted to get across the line in third and get a medal.

“I’ve had very little racing in the last two years. The last 18 months has been tough on everybody, so I was very happy to get on the podium here” he said.

Egan is hoping he can recover in time for his next challenge in the World senior division which takes place on Saturday.

His sister, Jenny will be out in the Women’s K1 short course marathon later today before racing in the long-course event on Saturday also.