Marie coming home to Cork for the marathon madness

Each week we profile one of the runners taking part in the ‘Irish Examiner’ Cork City Marathon this June.

Marie Lynch is coming home to Cork to take part in her first ever marathon this summer.

“I chose Cork for my first one because it is home and it is a place that means something to me,” she said.

Originally from Dublin Hill in Cork, Marie has been living in England for 26 years. “Longer than I ever lived in Cork!” she said.

Although she has a family and a career in the UK, she still visits home regularly.

“I can go to Liverpool and get home on a plane in just 45 minutes between there and Cork Airport.”

Marie says she never set out with a marathon at the back of her mind when she first began running.

“I never thought I’d do a marathon. I just started running as a way to exercise but I thought I should do one to see if I could do it. And so someday I wouldn’t regret not doing one.”

She has been following a training plan since January in anticipation of the Cork City Marathon in June, but admits it was hard to stay motivated through the miserable winter weather.

“I’m not part of a club or anything so sometimes it can be hard to get going when it’s dark and raining outside. Sometimes you just want to stay in with a cup of tea!”

Despite the temptation of tea, Marie persevered with her training and she is hoping to complete the full marathon in under five hours.

“I haven’t run the full distance yet, but I think I can get it done between four hours and 45 minutes to five hours.”

Marie is looking forward to her return to Cork in June.

“I’m looking forward to it. Hopefully there will be plenty of people there cheering to help get me over that line.”