Runner of the Week: Cian McPartland is training for the Cork Marathon in Lebanon

Each week, Denise O'Donoghue profiles one of the runners taking part in the ‘Irish Examiner’ Cork City marathon this June. This week she speaks with Cian McPartland.

Corkman Cian McPartland’s training for the Cork City Marathon is unlike the training of the majority of this year’s participants.

He is running in intense heat in Lebanon. Cian is a chief petty officer in the Navy and he is serving in the 111th Infantry Battalion in the United Nations Interm Force until May.

His training is challenging but he enjoys the company of his colleagues as he loops around the camp.

“Training for Cork over here in Lebanon is tough with the heat during the spring/summer months and the hills. It’s far from a flat country!

“Loops of the camp to make up the miles can be mentally tough, as well as trying to fit in the training

around the battalions commitments. There are a few colleagues here training for Cork as well so I have company for the long runs especially.”

Cian caught the running bug nine years ago when he ran the BHAA John Buckley 5k in the Marina. The 39- year-old says the Cork City Marathon is his ‘comeback’ after he developed chronic tendonitis in his knee in 2013 and had surgery in 2016.

“Cork is my home city and it seemed appropriate that it be my comeback marathon after a few years of injuries. The knee is about 85% but if that’s the best it gets I’ll be happy enough.”

Life with the Defence Forces has lent itself to an active lifestyle for Cian.

There is a good athletics fraternity in the Navy and in the wider Defence Forces and events on the calendar including our own Defence Forces 10 Mile Road Race in the Naval Base.

“I'd like to wish all my colleagues in the Naval Service and the wider Defence Forces who are taking part in the Cork City Marathon the very best of luck.”

“The course takes in all parts of the city and running through the Jack Lynch tunnel has to be a highlight.”