Sailors from the navy base at Haulbowline are training to run the Dublin marathon in formation.
Members of the Irish naval service are attempting to run the entire distance of the Radio 2 Dublin City Marathon in formation on 28 October 1985. The 32 sailors from the base on Haulbowline Island in Cork Harbour are training to be non-commissioned officers. They have been in training for the marathon since July.
Lieutenant Bernard O'Sullivan explains that the marathon training differs from their usual military and academic training. As none of the men were athletes, the marathon schedule began with three mile runs, and developed into six mile runs. Since July, they have been strictly adhering to the training schedule published in the RTÉ Guide, created specifically for beginners.
We now find we are in a position we’re quite happy about doing the marathon.
Lieutenant Barry O’Hallaron explains that some of the men were not prepared for the rigours of a marathon run. So they started off doing upper body strength exercises, then concentrating on the limbs as
It’s the limbs that will carry us through on the day, the limbs and the lungs, basically, depending on how strong our legs are.
Lieutenant Commander Eoin McNamara believes the marathon training toughens the men up both physically and mentally. It shows those taking the course for junior leaders of the Naval Service how they can build a team from nothing and, by working together, can achieve great things. In this case, the achievement will be to start the marathon in formation and finish in formation.
The victory will be for them, if they achieve it as a team effort, and a team exercise.
The marathon trainees are rewarded with a pint after every run,
I said I’d do anything for a pint but, I didn’t think I’d have to run a marathon for it.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 22 October 1985. The reporter is Colm Connolly.