Collette O’Hagan of North East Runners AC after finishing her 1000th marathon milestone during the 2024 Irish Life Dublin Marathon. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
The Dublin Marathon delivered yet another day of memories for the North East Runners, highlighted by Collette O’Hagan’s extraordinary feat as she completed her 1,000th marathon – a record-breaking milestone, which may never be broken.
This remarkable achievement is a testament to Collette’s resilience, dedication and love for her sport.
Crossing the finish line in 6:25, Collette also clinched a silver medal in the women’s over-75 category, rounding off an unforgettable day.
Meanwhile, it was another successful outing for the North East Runners, who brought home two national medals and a series of personal triumphs. The indefatigable Aidan Brennan, running a swift 2:55:35, earned a bronze in the men’s over-60 category, which is a testament to his hard training over the previous year.
Notable performances among other athletes included Mark O’Connor (2:53:32) and Seamus Duncan (2:54:49), both of whom broke the sub-three-hour mark with well-executed races and a solid pace. John Tumilty (2:57:18) smashed his marathon PB in only his second marathon, a testament to his solid training over the last number of months and Fergal O’Callaghan (2:58:39) rounded out the club’s stellar sub-three group.
The North East Runners had a strong showing throughout the field, with standout efforts from Ronan Halpenny (3:00:14), who narrowly missed breaking the three-hour barrier and Patrick Kieran (3:05:15). The team spirit shone brightly as club members cheered each other on from the busy Dublin streets, pushing through pain and fatigue to conquer the challenging 42.2-kilometer course.
The race was equally significant for the club’s dedicated marathoners like Brendan Reid (3:12:28), Kelly Ann O’Brien (3:31:14), and Karen McCrystal (3:36:07), all of whom demonstrated their endurance and dedication. Ian Craig (3:44:18) and Gerry Kenny (3:45:04) also crossed the line looking strong along with a clutch of other North East runners.
For the North East Runners, the Dublin Marathon 2024 was more than just another race; it was a day of national medals, personal bests and one very special record. Collette O’Hagan’s achievement has left an indelible mark on the running community and North East Runners’ history.
Well done to all of the North East Runners and many of them are already looking forward to 2025.
