Seapark duo take on four-day ‘Quadrathon’ challenge in Donegal

Gary Connolly and Gillian Cordner from Seapark Athletics Club took on the ‘Quadrathon’ challenge in Donegal last week.
Gary Connolly and GIllian Cordner displaying their medals at the Quadrathon event.  INLT 35-676-CONGary Connolly and GIllian Cordner displaying their medals at the Quadrathon event.  INLT 35-676-CON
Gary Connolly and GIllian Cordner displaying their medals at the Quadrathon event. INLT 35-676-CON

The four-day challenge, which took place August 14-17, comprised of four different 26.2 mile marathon routes, over consecutive days, along the Wild Atlantic Way.

Set amidst breath­taking coastal scenery, 54 hardy competitors took on the challenge. The gruelling courses included coastal routes around Kinnego, Malin Head, Mamore Gap and Muff and Connolly and Cordner put in sterling perfomances.

Despite battling injuries, Connolly completed the challenge whilst Cordner was first lady overall, having been the first lady across the line each day of those taking on the four day challenge (at the time of writing official results are not yet available).

This week, Cordner rose to the challenge once again, completing back to back marathons. On Saturday, August 23, the endurance athlete completed the East Antrim Marathon Series marathon, a four lap course around Greenisland and Jordanstown, including the Station Road, Greenisland – a challenging hill to run once let alone fourtimes.

Cordner crossed the line, first lady home, in 3:40:08. The following day, Sunday August 24, Cordner travelled to Letterkenney, to complete the Donegal Marathon; starting at Aura Leisure Complex the rural, two lap route included a significant number of hills and fittingly finished on the running track.

Cordner put in another strong performance, crossing the line 3rd lady placed in a time of 3:50:54.

On Saturday August 23, members of Seapark AC took part in the 5k Colour Run,Belfast.

Representing Seapark AC were Anne McCracken,Karen Poag, Philip Poag, Neill Harper, Karen Waring, and making it a family event Angekla, Charlie, Beth and Rowan McCormick. This is an untimed race.

Further afield, father and son duo Bobbie and Gavin Irvine were among the 15,000 runners competing in the Reykjavik Marathon in Iceland, with Gavin running his first marathon.

The unique marathon takes place on city streets and tracks and treats runners to ocean views and surrounding mountain scenery and woodland.

The pair ran the course together, crossing the line in 4:34:56.

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