Team Geared Up

DUBLIN, IRELAND (Team geared Up) Well done to our own Irish Ultrarunner and superhero Tony Mangan who finished tenth overall in the 48 hour race in Surgeres, France (which we wrote about previously here). It’s amazing the distances covered in these events. The mental fortitude it must take to run laps around a 300 metre track for two whole days is incredible and a big well done to everyone competing. I see Planet Ultramarathon, who Tony also writes for, are reporting that second overall, Sumie Inagaki, broke the World women’s record with a distance of 382km. The race was won by Japanese runner Ryoichi Sekiya with a distance of 401km.

While reading Planet Ultramarathon I noticed an article saying Paula Radcliffe is doubtful for Bejing due to a stress fracture in her thigh. Can you imagine her disappointment if that puts her out?! Apparently it wasn’t noticed in two previous MRI’s. I’d say she’s pretty angry about that?!

Radcliffe said learning of the fracture was a “bombshell,” but said she was determined not to give up despite being told by some specialists that it would be difficult to get in enough training ahead of the event.

“Everything has been with Beijing in mind. It’s been a huge focal point and it’s hugely important to me,” Radcliffe said. “I’m thinking positive. I am looking at it as 90-100 percent that I will be in Beijing. Other people will put it a lot lower. I can do it.”

Fingers crossed, it’d be disappointing to watch an Olympic marathon without her in it!

-Aisling-

Image from Tony Mangan.