Former winner to run race as solidarity gesture
Neil, 61, who now runs Cube Printing at Eastway Business Park in Limerick, won the big race on Apr 18, 1974.
“That was the greatest day of my athletics career and I was due to go back next year with my wife Imelda to mark the 40th anniversary of my win,” he said.
“But now I plan to run the marathon as my own gesture to those who died and were injured, their families, and all the great people of Boston. I have been back for a number of marathons since my win and the race director, Guy Morse, is a personal friend.
“I have been on to them to extend our sympathy over these terrible bombings.”
Neil, who represented Ireland in two Olympics (Munich 1972 and Montreal 1976) as well as 13 world cross-country champion-ships, said he will have little difficulty getting fit to run a non-competitive marathon.
“I am in good shape and go for a run every weekend. The Boston Marathon is a national treasure and I was devastated to see the horrific scenes on the TV. I tried to watch the marathon on Monday, but I could not get it on the internet,” he said.
“I remember the day of my win like yesterday — I was attending the University of East Tennessee. When I got to Boston I took a shamrock emblem from an old vest and put it onto the one I was wearing in the race to show I was Irish. I was cheered all the way along the route. What a day. They are a great people and a great city.
“To run next year would be a gesture to show how all our thoughts are with them. I think there will be a massive surge of support for the city when the race is held in 2014 and I plan to be there at the start with all the other athletes. Boston has given so much to me and I want to give something back.”
Neil, who won the Boston Marathon in a time of 2:13:39, also won the Dublin marathon in 1981.
