Murlough trio at Windy City

Murlough trio at Windy City

23 October 2019

THERE is nothing like running a marathon in the USA, if you haven’t tried it already I fully recommend it.

Last week Carol McMenamin and her sister Orla, Hugh Oram and Charisse Poland jumped onto a plane to Chicago to take on one of the six World Major marathons. 

This was Carol and Hugh’s fourth major and Charisse’s first major and second marathon. The three of them were regularly checking the weather in the last few weeks leading up to race day as the temperatures were well up in the high 20s. 

Far too hot to be running a marathon, but thankfully in the final week it took a dramatic down to nine degrees. Flying over on Friday with no time to waste, it was straight to the hotel and then immediately to the Expo to pick up their race numbers and buy some of the many race souvenirs that were on sale. 

In the Expo there was a wall of fame for all the runners who had completed the six majors. Murlough AC’s very own Paula McKibbin and Ann McAlarney’s names were spotted on the wall for all to see. 

There was no time to get over the six-hours jet lag as they were all up at five in the morning and headed downtown to the start of the 5km friendship run. 

This was a bit of fun and involved a quick lap of the city centre finishing in Grant park.  The rest of the day was spent in true MAC style with a boat cruise along the Chicago river before dinner in an Italian restaurant. 

The evening got better as needing a taxi for six people to take them back to the hotel, they managed to acquire the use of a party limousine at a very good rate. 

Another early start on Sunday as the marathon began at 7.30am in the neighbouring Grant Park. Thankfully, it was only a 10 minute walk from the hotel. They’d only just made it into the corrals and the race started. 

A field of 45,000 runners, heading off north through the city, with defending champion Mo Farah expected to retain his title. 

As the route wound through the city it passed through many different districts, all with a party atmosphere and lined with people cheering and screaming encouragement. 

The noise during a major marathon in the USA is beyond belief, the bands playing, spectators ‘high fiving’ and the streets lined with people three or four thick is an experience like no other. We passed through the Mexican Quarter with bands playing and guys dancing, wearing sombreros and then on to Chinatown’ with the streets lined with drummers.

It was then onto the Gay Quarter with drag queens performing on stage. It was a celebration for both runners and spectators. 

As with all marathons, the last five miles were a real test of mental determination as fatigue kicked in and Carol, unfortunately, was suffering from a knee injury that she picked up during training which returned at mile 14. 

They all pushed on with Hugh crossing the line first and recording a new personal best by one and a half minutes. Orla was next home followed by Charisse who recorded a huge personal best of 10 minutes. 

Carol was next home and managed to finish in a respectable time as she battled through the final 12 miles with knee problems. As the runners walked down the street after finishing they were greeted by four lines of local school kids applauding and congratulating all the runners. After the kids there were long tables either side of the street where one of the local sponsors, which happened to be a brewery, handing out free beer. Then onto the next table where they were given food and water.  

It makes you wonder what is not to like about this marathon? In the ladies’ race a new world record was set as Brigid Kosgei beat Paula Radcliffe’s record of 16 years. Ironically, as Carol finished her race and walked down to collect her medal she was presented with it from no other than Paula herself. 

It was back to the hotel to get ready for dinner that evening. As Hugh and Charisse walked back they talked about getting a pint of milk each for recovery. 

As the shop was a ten-minute walk away, Charisse said that even though she knew it would be a bit more expensive she was happy to buy milk for them both in the hotel bar. 

Being content with the two half pints that the bar served it was only when the bill was produced that they both discovered that they must have drunk the most expensive two glasses of milk ever, with a bill of 14 dollars. Anything to save tired feet. 

That evening they continued in MAC style, celebrating with a meal on Cindy’s roof top restaurant followed by a few beers in Buddy Guy’s Blues bar where we were treated in style with a table in the VIP area. The life of a Murlough AC member is indeed a good one and already planning has begun for the next Major.

Meanwhile, the week before, Kieran McShane made the long trek to Australia to complete in the Melbourne Marathon. 

The race began with an early 7am start along Batman Avenue in the glorious sunshine. This was Kieran’s first big run in over three months due to injuries, so took him a lot longer to finish, but he says it just meant he had more time to take in the lovely views of Melbourne.

It was an amazing race from start to finish taking in all the iconic places around Melbourne such as St Paul’s Cathedral, Flinders Street, Botanic Gardens and the Shrine of Remembrance. 

Followed by a lap around the GP circuit then up and down St Kilda’s beach along the promenade. The finish line was held inside the Melbourne Cricket Ground where the runners had to complete a lap inside the stadium in front of the roaring crowd as they crossed the line in an amazing atmosphere.