The Challenge...32 Marathons, 32 Counties, 32 Days
Gerry and Ken's Blog...

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Marathon 21 - Derry / Londonderry

Perhaps it was inevitable. I (GD) had a tough day at the office, or the last 9 miles to be precise. Ken was more fortunate but was still feeling the pain for the last two miles of 26.2.

The day started beautifully. The scene was set as we set up camp adjacent to the River Foyle, nestled in between the Waterside and the Bogside of Derry. This city and its surrounding walls dating back to the late 17th century looked resplendent in the late July sun. Today it was hot, very hot, topping off at 23 degrees - not ideal for marathon running.

For the first half of today’s run both Ken and I enjoyed the company of Fiona McCann, a lovely lady originally from Derry, but now residing in Donegal. We left Fiona at the half-way mark as she crossed the line of her first ever race, a great moment not just for her but for her entire family as they all gathered for a family photo.

Onwards we soldiered for the second half but I soon started to feel some aching in the lower part of my legs. Perhaps it was the multiple loops (6) although that would surely be the mental side of today’s challenge. Perhaps it was the three fast runs of the previous three days that were catching up on me. Each mile felt like five but one by one the GPS climbed finally into the twenties. Only six more to go.

At that point we were joined by Jessica, our American friend from Donegal, who kindly ran with us yet again to offer us company and to stretch out her limbs after her full marathon yesterday.

As we climbed towards twenty four miles Ken had to stop momentarily to stretch out his right ankle. As I watched him and the pain in his expression I forgot my own minor issues and gave myself a talking too. Bow insignificant was my pain when compared to what this chap has endured for too long.

Finally the finish line was in sight and we crossed it in four hours and thirty nine minutes, both relieved to have marathon number twenty one behind us.

A special mention to Gerry Lynch for setting up today’s course and to Colin Telford, Carly Ferguson and Johnny Davis who are coordinating the logistics for these six days. We look forward to their company very much.

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