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

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Marathon 28 - Louth

The Boyne Valley Hotel was the starting point for our 28th marathon. What a super turn out - we had 30 people running with us and at least the same number again at the start line to cheers us on. We were absolutely delighted to see the parents, teachers and children from the local autism school, Abacas, turn out in force to see us off. The children even ran the first few hundred metres with us!

Over the last 28 days we've met some people who have travelled from afar to join us for a run. But I think that Rob Costello, who ran a full marathon with us today, takes the top prize. He flew all the way from Sydney to join us! OK, so he might be Best Man for his brother's wedding on Monday but that's surely just a coincidence!! Rob is a great guy and really helped and encouraged the other runners as we covered the four laps around Drogheda town.

We had another first today; our first canine half marathon finisher! Chris Roddy from Dundalk ran the 13.1 miles with his Siberian Husky, Tyson. We couldn't but give Tyson a medal on his achievements.
Chris' cousin, Keith Roddy, joined us for his first ever half marathon today. Keith's longest run before today was 7 miles so adding the extra 6 miles was going to be a challenge for him. Or so we thought.

At the 13.1 mile point Keith was looking so comfortable that he decided to try the third lap with us. You can guess what happened at the turnaround point for the last lap. That's right - although a little red-checked by now, and with his concerned wife Fiona, looking on, Keith kept going for the fourth and final lap. Although it's certainly not the way we would advise anyone to approach the marathon Gerry and I have been constantly amazed over the last few weeks at how people like Keith can double or even treble their longest ever run and complete a marathon with us. Keith did struggle a bit over the last few miles but his gutsy determination brought him across the line. And a time of 3:57 is not bad for your first marathon, especially given the training!

Gerry and I felt reasonably good today and kept a steady pace throughout the run. We enjoyed the company of some great people today which always gives us a huge boost and distracts us from our daily task of running 26.2 miles. Particular mention to Ollie Mc Hugh who was completing his second consecutive marathon with us today.

Today is only the second time that we get to stay in the same place for two nights. It was great not to have to pack up and travel as soon as we finished our run. Jacinta Walsh, one of the main organisers of today’s run, had also organised a super BBQ at the Hotel in the afternoon so we took full advantage and chilled out for a few hours.

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