Sean Hehir – Irish international and fresh off his 2:17 marathon in London – took the time to answer three questions for us after participating, and breaking the record of, our half-marathon fund-raiser ‘Glen to Glen’ (run in conjunction with the Lap of the Gap Marathon). Congratulations to Sean on the new mark of 72:21 – the quest for sub-70 has begun!
How did you hear about the Lap of the Gap Marathon and Glen to Glen Half and what attracted you to doing the event?
I love to race regularly. The weeks immediately after the target marathon in the spring and autumn provide a great opportunity for competing in races I haven’t done before in new and different places, enabling maintaining fitness and conditioning before recommencing full training. In the last 2 weeks I entered the IMRA Leinster League Bray Head run and the Wicklow Way Relay with my Rathfarnham WSAF AC teammates. I saw the Glen to Glen Half and The Lap of the Gap Marathon listed on the Athletics Ireland accredited fixture list and on the MyRunResults website. When I saw the race profile featuring the climb from The Upper Lake in Glendalough up to Glenmacnass waterfall and back I decided to give the half marathon a go. I’m very glad I signed up and would love to come back to try better my time or try my hand at The Lap of the Gap Marathon. The marathon race winner’s stone trophy is beautiful and I would love to try earn one in the future.
Your personal best for the half-marathon is 65:12 and your new record is 72:21 – do you feel the course is about 6-7 minutes slower than a regular city half-marathon or would sub-70 be achievable for yourself or a runner of similar ability in the right circumstances?
A sub 70min clocking is definitely achievable in The Glen to Glen Half. Conditions
this year were ideal (light wind and mild) which definitely helped. The first 5km are fast and flat, with a fast pace still achievable on the gradual slopes from 5km-10km. Mile splits take a hit from 10km to the turnaround point at Glenmacnass waterfall and it’s very difficult to get lost time back on the steep descents. However coming down the hill at speed in the second half of the race is a fantastic feeling and your momentum definitely carries you over the line in the closing miles. The road surface on the route is excellent and there is great support from race officials at the water stations. It would be great to see the 70 minute barrier broken in the not-so-distant future.
Which part of the course did you enjoy most and what part did you feel played best to your personal strengths?
My favourite part of the route was the last uphill mile climbing towards the turnaround point at Glenmacnass waterfall. The scenery is stunning and although your legs are screaming as the climb hits 20% in places, it is a strangely enjoyable experience. The opening miles in Glendalough are also beautiful (and flat).
Glendalough AC 