McCarthy’s moment of destiny in Berlin

MARTIN McCARTHY faces his moment of destiny on Sunday when he lines up for his debut marathon in Berlin.

"I will be pleased if I get close to the Olympic qualifying standard (2:12.00). It is a fast course and that is why I chose it," he said. "And it comes at precisely the right time of the year. You can go back to Boston or London next spring if you want to."

The marathon has always been at the back of his mind and when he fulfilled a lifetime ambition by winning the national senior cross-country championships he decided the time was right for a change of emphasis.