An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 37 Sports Roundup by SGT RENA KENNEDY, PR BRANCH sgt Brian Ankers, no 1 Ops Wing - spartathlon 2015 Described as one of the world's most gruelling footraces, Spartathlon is 246km single stage run including 1,200m ascent of Mount Parthenio with a 36hr cut off. Since 1984, every September in 30° of heat, Spartathlon is in memory of Pheidippides, in 490BC at the Battle of Marathon was sent to Sparta to seek help in the war between the Greeks and Persians. Only 400 of the world's best ultra runners compete in the event. Entry to race requires a sub 18hr result in a 100-mile race within the previous 12 months. Brian's race went really well and of the 390 athletes only 40% finished. "It was easily the toughest thing I've ever done. I made it to Sparta with an hour to spare after continuous running for 35hrs". sgts Terry & sinead Wearen both DFTC - Polar Circle Marathon/ Polar Bear Challenge This competition comprised a marathon on one day followed by a half marathon the next. It took place inside the Arctic Circle in Kangerlussuaq in Western Greenland. The first 7.5km of both the marathon and the half marathon take place on the ice caps presenting challeng- ing and cold conditions. Their water had frozen within 10mins due to the gale force head- wind of -30 o and ground temperature of -18 o . Running faster to get off the ice cap was the sensible thing to do. Sinead was delighted to cross the line in 4hrs 28mins to win the female race. Terry, undertaking this race as his first marathon bounced across the line in 5hrs 19mins - in apparent ease. The half marathon weather was kinder with a balmy temperature of -8o. Sinead finished 5th in the women's category in 2hrs 33mins while Terry was not too far behind in 2hrs 39mins. sgt Tara kennedy, DFHQ, - Dublin City Marathon Tara began 2015 with a set goal to run the Dublin City Marathon and to break her PB of 3hrs 8mins from Berlin the previous year. She started her training normally taking to the Phoenix Park and running hard for up to 60mins. She received a training programme from Capt James Leding- ham, which took into account her daily routine, work life and family/kids. The programme totally changed her running, most weeks running up to 53-miles per week. "I was surprised that my run- ning improved so much and I was breaking all my pervious PBs. Having being selected for 51 Inf Gp, I was in a slight panic about pre deployment training as I would spend 3-weeks in Kilbride and the Glen of Imaal before the Dublin City Marathon." Tara finished 2nd O/40 and 4th Irish lady home in Dublin City Marathon in a time of 2:59:24. This was the icing on the cake for her in a year that saw her win DF 10-mile, half marathon and An Cosantóir 10km. sgt Robbie Byrne, Mil Col, DFTC - Dublin City Marathon Last year Robbie heard about a number of soldiers/friends who are fighting cancer or are directly affected by cancer. "What do you say when another soldier tells you his child has cancer, I have 3 children and all I think is how lucky we are, BUT what can we do or how can we help?" It is difficult asking people to donate and sponsor, as there are lots of worthwhile causes. Robbie's answer was to do the Dublin City Marathon dressed for battle. "When you serve with someone for over 26-years at home and overseas and this knocks at the door, as a man and as a soldier all you can do sometimes is put your kit on and run… because that's what soldiers do. Running in kit and go- ing through some pain for a few hours is nothing to what families who are affected go through." Pte gretta O'Connor, 27 Inf Bn - Ironman World Championships This triathlon is a 3.8km Swim, 180.2km Cycle and 42.2km run, held annually in Kailua-Kona since 1978. Gretta felt the Kona swim went well and complet- ed in just over 1hr. With temperatures soaring Gretta said the 6.5hrs cycle was the toughest part of the race, but she hydrated consistently to prepare for the run. With a marathon remaining she had to stick rigidly to her plan to complete the race, taking on two cups of water, using sponges to cool down and placing ice under her cap. She finished her marathon in 3hrs 49mins taking her total race time to 11hrs 41mins and was the first Irish lady home. "I really enjoyed the finish shoot with everyone cheering I grabbed the Irish flag off my mam and sister and crossed the line, such an amazing experience"

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