Jimi and Joan break 3-hour mark in virtual marathon

It’s generally estimated that between two and five per cent of all marathon runners manage to break the three-hour mark. Jimi Gillivan entered that select bracket recently when he completed the Limerick marathon in virtual fashion around Athlone in a time of 2.55.57.

It was Jimi’s first time to run a marathon inside three hours. In addition, the Moate man’s time was an improvement of some 12 minutes on his previous personal best.

Jimi was joined by another Westmeath athlete, Joan Flynn of Mullingar Harriers, in taking on the Limerick marathon in the Athlone area on Saturday, May 1st.

Jimi was sixth overall in the Great Limerick Run virtual marathon results, while Joan was first female and eighth overall in a time of 2.57.52.

Joan had previously ran inside the three-hour mark and her recent marathon was just seconds outside her PB.

Moate physiotherapist Noel Kelly, also well known as an elite athlete, gave Jimi plenty of assistance in the lead-up to the marathon. “I worked off a plan that Noelie Kelly gave me for the last three months,” said Jimi.

“A lot of things have to go in your favour to hit your target in a marathon. For example, you could get an injury the week of a marathon after doing 12 weeks of hard training, and a lot depends on how you feel on the day,” he continued.

With Covid-19 restrictions not permitting group training, Jimi did practically all his training on his own from Christmas Eve until April.

Jimi admitted that breaking the three-hour mark was “a personal goal” he really wanted to achieve in 2021.

Now living in Athlone, Jimi played football for Moate All Whites for several years and has shown major improvement in running since taking up the sport a few years ago.

Jimi was glad to have the guidance and experience of some high calibre and seasoned athletes, who ran alongside himself and Joan at various stages of their virtual marathon. Well known running coach Mick Murphy was among those who lent support.

“Mick Murphy got me through the last few miles. Without Mick, I wouldn’t have got that time. He was very good, he kept me going and got me home,” Jimi said.

Among those who ran some miles alongside either Jimi or Joan were Chris Muldoon, Mick Fogarty, Paul Buckley (based in Athlone with the Defence Forces) and Francis Connolly from Glasson. Mick (from Glynwood), Paul and Francis are all members of Ferbane AC.

Kilbeggan man Pauric Ennis, a member of Tullamore Harriers, was also among those who ran some miles as part of the marathon effort, on a course that included much of the Athlone Flatline half marathon route.

Maurice Looby completed an entire marathon alongside Joan as part of his training for an ultra event of 100km later in the year.

Jimi’s wife Orla and little girl Lil were there to congratulate him at the finish close to the Shamrock Lodge Hotel. But rumours that Jimi will now give up running could not be confirmed at the time of writing!

Also lending support was Jimi’s sister Ursula, her husband David Reynolds, their son Jamie and daughter Andi.

Joan, who is originally from Boyle, had plenty of support on the day from her husband Ger, daughter Róisín, and sons Donncha and Odhran.

Congratulating Joan on her performance on May 1st, Mullingar Harriers AC posted the following: “Long distance virtual races are mentally much harder, with no fellow competitors and even spectators to help an athlete generate some extra adrenaline to help push them on, but Joan Flynn proved her mettle when she ran the 2021 Virtual Great Limerick Marathon on country roads around Athlone.

“On paper, the weather was ideal for running, cool and nearly calm conditions, but midway through, the sun got very strong and it turned out to be very hot indeed. Joan finished in 2 hours 57 minutes, more than satisfied to run under the 3-hour mark during Covid times with no real races for so long and having really just ticked over for the last twelve months.

“Joan was very lucky to have great company though, as Maurice Looby also ran along with her, using it as a training run for his ultra training. Both were very appreciative of the great support they received from other runners they met along the way. This is not the first virtual marathon that Joan has run but she hopes it is the last and that there is a return to proper live races as soon as possible.”