Good Luck to John Byrne in Rotterdam

Springtime marathons are popular and many aspiring runners with PBs in mind look abroad for a suitable big city event. We have already seen club results from Barcelona and Paris in recent weeks. This weekend on April 13 we have the  London Marathon one of the recognised Big Five, and Rotterdam which has become popular as it produces fast times. A number of top Irish club runners are heading to Rotterdam, among them will be our own John Byrne. He  has been at the forefront of our club’s success over the past 15 years.

The Straide native has won numerous races from 5k to marathon and competed eight times in ultra marathons including 100k world championships . Many of his successes have been chronicled here and he has been recognised by numerous awards. Along the way John has clocked up thousands of training miles and competed all over Ireland, the UK and in Europe.

In Rotterdam he will run his 29th marathon. He ran 3 hrs 27 mins in his first in 1996 at age 21. Since then he has steadily chipped away the minutes and seconds. His personal best time was achieved in the Dublin Marathon in 2008 when he finished in 2:32:45. The Fair City has been his top marathon venue over the years, and blood, sweat and tears plus a few thousand calories have been shed as John knocked repeatedly on that elusive heavens’s door known as a sub 2:30.This year’s preparation has been more acutely focused on that target, and his form this season says he is in top condition. Best of luck in Rotterdam, John!