Jim Aughney ‘disappointed’ at Martin Fagan’s no-show

Dublin Marathon Race Director Jim Aughney admitted he was “disappointed” that Martin Fagan pulled out at the last minute for the launch of the race yesterday.

“I found out quite late yesterday evening,” said Aughney of Fagan’s late withdrawal at the Mansion House for the launch of the 36th SSE Dublin Marathon.

“I’m disappointed he didn’t show. And I think you speak to the athletes here and they are kind of disappointed that he didn’t come to clear the air.”

Fagan, who served a two-year ban for EPO, is going to receive support as part of the Marathon Mission, an initiative set up by the Dublin marathon to help marathon runners who achieve a certain standard.

The Mullingar Harrier qualified for the Rio Olympics in the Zurich marathon last month and as a result, Dublin organisers have decided to support him.

“We didn’t see him any different to any of the other athletes,” said Aughney on the decision of the committee to support him.

“Yes, he has put his hands up for what he has done in the past. Again do you look at Martin’s history and the story behind it, whether it’s different to any other person who’s cheated or not? I think he was in a very bad place at the time and it was a cry for help as much as anything else.

“He put his hand up, he served his time. Again, you can play the card that everybody deserves a second chance. He has been cleared by Athletics Ireland to run and once he got the qualifying standards for Marathon Mission we didn’t look to treat him any differently to other athletes who had the qualifying standards.”

But Aughney was disappointed Fagan didn’t show to face the media at yesterday’s launch at the Mansion House.

“Martin can speak for himself and that’s the disappointing thing. I think he should have been here to speak for himself in that regard.

“There are inconsistencies, I agree, with what he has said down through the years.

“Again ‘I won’t take prize money’ and he does. He has stated that he won’t go to the Olympics. Time will tell whether that will come true or not.

“For me it was an opportunity for him to come and talk to yourselves (the press) this morning, clear the air and he chose not to.”

The Irish Runner 5 mile race will kick off the Dublin marathon race series on June 27 building towards the marathon on October 26.

Last month Dublin was announced as the winner of the Best International Event at the Running awards where they were up against tough competition from the Boston Marathon and the TCS New York City Marathon.