Gary O’Hanlon approaching the finish line in Newry yesterday
It was another weekend to remember for local athlete Gary O’Hanlon as he won the Newry City Marathon yesterday in a time of 2:36:12.
The Kilkerley man runs for the Clonliffe Harriers AC team in Dublin and has already won the Tralee International Marathon this year, as well as the Irish National 50km Championship.
Both of those wins leave him on track to at least match the six marathon wins he claimed last year.
Gary O’Hanlon (right, number 80) racing at Donadea Forest Park at the weekend
Local athlete Gary O’Hanlon hit a new high at the weekend when he clinched the Irish National 50km Championship title in Donadea Forest Park in Kildare.
In what was the Kilkerley man’s first ultra run, O’Hanlon – who runs for Clonliffe Harriers AC in Dublin – came home first in a time of 2.59:19 – the second fastest finishing time in Europe this year.
His victory is all the more impressive considering he only found out that someone entered him in the race last week and had no specific training done for it.
He now advances to the 50k World Championships.
This is the latest in a series of wins for O’Hanlon, who is an inspiration to many for the manner in which he has competed in recent years. As a 17-year-old he was knocked down in a near fatal accident which left him with brain and facial injuries. He overcame them after six years of intensive rehab, however, and s now regarded as one of the top athletes in the country.
Talk of the Town 