Mick the marathon man gets set for his 43rd Dublin City run

A RUNNER who trains locally is preparing to embark on his 43rd consecutive Dublin City Marathon this weekend.

Mick Carolan, 68, who trains with Brothers Pearse AC, is one of only 11 runners who are set to continue their record of running every Dublin City Marathon since the event first began in 1980.

Explaining how the popularity of the marathon has fluctuated over the years, Mick said that the enthusiasm that people have for taking part in marathons has enjoyed a resurgence.

“There was a boom in the 80s when the numbers for the marathon went very high, then there was a recession in the 90s and they struggled to keep it going,” he told The Echo.

“They got some American charities to come over, and they saved it, and then in the 00s it really bloomed and blossomed again.”

Throughout it all, Mick never hung up his running shoes and has been there at the starting line every year – even after a less than enjoyable experience at his first marathon.

Mick Carolan runs with Bros Pearse Athletics Club which is based in Knocklyon

“I absolutely swore that was the end of it, I never thought I’d do another one,” Mick recalled with a laugh, when asked how he felt after his first marathon.

“I didn’t train properly, and it was a very painful last few miles, and I swore that was it.

“But when the marathon came around the next year, I thought, ‘If I train properly, I’ll see what I can get’.”

Mick’s timings have varied over the years, but in recent years his main aim has been enjoying the marathon as opposed to securing a personal best (PB).

“It’s more relaxed in that I don’t get PBs anymore,” he said.

“In the early years, you’re looking for a PB every time, but as the years catch up with you, you know you won’t be as fast as you were in your younger days.

“You just want to keep the streak going, and I’m still doing the same training I did at the first marathon, but the pace and timings are different.

“I’d a very good summer of training, so it’s been a good year for the runners.

“I have loads of stamina, I’ve got all my long runs in, and I’m really looking forward to Sunday.”

Mick said he’s hoping to get a time of under 3:50 in this year’s Dublin City Marathon, but added: “You never know until the day hits, how you’ll feel and what time you’ll get.”

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