Kilcoo man and Murlough Athletics Club member Colm Devlin recently pushed himself to the absolute limits of human endurance and pain, to complete his first ever marathon in Dublin on 27 October to help raise funds for the local Donard Fundraising Group and PIPS.
Colm said: “Despite the agonies I went through, it was a pleasure to raise money for both of these extremely worthy causes, because they give so much of their time and do fantastic work to help our communities. I have always wanted to run a marathon, but before 2014 I hadn’t even ran a half marathon, until I gradually built up my running and did my first half marathon in April at Born 2 Run’s Castleward Challenge. I was then talked into doing a full marathon by my good friend Gerard Rowe… he caught me at a weak moment when flying passed me, and I haven’t looked back since.
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Colm Devlin (centre), with his daughter Caoimhe, Donard Fundraising Group volunteers Jacqui Mason, Kate Pryce and Alice Anderson and Colm’s daughter Aislinn.[/caption]
“To find myself at the Dublin starting line was a dream come true. The race itself didn’t go quite to plan, as I took cramp after mile 8, and spent the next 7 miles trying to shake it off – but by mile 15 I had excruciating and severe pain, knowing I still had another 11 miles to do. I dug deep and carried on despite the horrendous pain and was extremely relieved to cross the finishing line in 4 hours42 minutes.
“Helped immensely by the amazing crowds and shouts of encourgement from my fellow MAC club members and well known faces along the route, which I really appreciated, all gave me the impetis, support and inner strength to finish my first ever marathon despite profound the agony. I achieved the finish humbly and proudly for both of these great causes. I couldn’t have got over that finishing line without my running partner Pat Shields who has accompanied me on my long Saturday morning runs, and who finished the Dublin Marathon in an amazing 3 hours 58 minutes.
“I would like to sincerely to thank the local community for their extremely kind donations and sponsorship and I hope to do the Belfast and Dublin marathons next year, to try and beat Gerard Rowe for getting me into this running marathon’s malarkey!”
Donard Fundraisig Group volunteer Jacqui Mason said on behalf of the group: “We always knew that Colm was a man made of great County Down stock, steel and resolve in terms of running and as a kind-hearted man also; but to know that he pushed himself and went through so much pain during his first marathon, to help us and PIPS, is above and beyond going that extra mile, literally and physically.
“He is a shining example of what can be achieved if you push yourself, regardless of whatever physical hurdles, pain or suffering you are going through. The Donard Fundraising Group cannot thank Colm enough for overcoming such extreme adversity when achieving his first, and it won’t be his last marathon.
“We are incredibly humbled, inspired and delighted that Colm has chosen our Group to donate this magnificent sum to, and equally honoured to donate half of it to PIPS which is a cause close to both Colm and our Group’s hearts.”
The Donard Fundraising Group can be contacted via its Facebook page, Tel/Text: 07599 809280 or 07974 392790, Email: donardfg@hotmail.com
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