Marathon man tom will give it a go

His preparations have been far from ideal but marathon veteran Tom Morgan from Rochfortbridge says that he will be on the starting line for his 35th consecutive Dublin City Marathon next Monday.

Over the past two years Tom has had a number of problems with his legs and had keyhole surgery on his right knee only a month ago. Due to his injuries he hasn’t been able to do as much training as he’d have liked for the marathon, which will be his 120th 26 miler, but he did manage to complete a half marathon in Longford recently. Unsure if he will reach the finish line, Tom, who is currently writing his life story, told the Westmeath Examiner that he is determined “to give it a go”.

“If it was any other marathon any where else I wouldn’t bother. I have done them all up to now and the number 35 has always stood out for me. I will be a long time out there as I won’t be able to run it.”

Next weekend is a big one on the sporting front for Tom’s family. The day before the marathon, his grandson Calvin Kirwan will line out for Mullingar Shamrocks in the final of the senior football championship against Garrycastle.
Discussing his own sporting challenge, Tom says that he will do everything in his power to maintain what he says is his 100% record in the marathon.

“I am determined to go up to Ballsbridge the night before and get my number. I am going to the same boarding house near Leeson Street bridge that I go to every year. Whether I can complete the 26.25 miles, I don’t know. I will give it a go and be on the starting line. After that I can’t say anymore,” he says.