Rio Olympian Lizzie Lee: Motherhood has made me even faster

Rio Olympian Lizzie Lee insists age is no impediment to running fast marathons and says becoming a mother has actually helped her, physically and mentally, to get even quicker this year.

Sonia O’Sullivan recently questioned why the Irish women’s marathon team for the European Championships in Berlin in August “has an average age of 38” querying why younger contenders are not emerging on the Irish distance running scene.

But Lee (37) said the team — which includes herself, fellow Cork star Claire McCarthy, national champion Laura Graham, and Gladys Ganiel — reflects international trends.