McCarthy’s big step to London

MARTIN McCARTHY (Leevale) took his first major step towards a planned marathon debut in London next year when he won the AVIA Cork half marathon in 67 mins 34 secs from the Austrian international, Peter Wuundsam (LCC Vienna), over a new course around Blarney and Rathduff yesterday.

With his build and style of running, a move to the marathon was always going to be inevitable and the ease with he cruised to victory yesterday underscored his potential.

Wuundsum, who arrived in Ireland just over a week ago for Una English’s wedding, trained in Killarney for the past week and provided McCarthy with an interesting opponent.