This year we are using a combination of one runner Mark Messitt running the full 26.2 at sub 3 Hour pace and Paul Gallagher from St. Finbarr’s AC leading a relay team of Pacers from St. Finbarr’s AC.
St Finbarr’s Pacing Group led by Paul Gallagher:
The guys from St. Finbarr’s have been pacing this time slot for as long as we can remember and every year we get great feedback as to their professional approach and how nice and encouraging the team are to the Sub 3 Hour runners. They have got loads of people over the line since we began. St. Finbarr’s are a friendly, Inviting and Inclusive club more info on
St. Finbarr’s A.C. | Cumann Lúthchleas Fionnbarra Naofa (stfinbarrsac.com)
they train on
- Monday Road/XC Session 18.15 – meet at the top of the Mardyke Lane
- Wednesdays at 18:00 – Mardyke Track
- Fridays at 18:00 – Mardyke Track
Mark Messitt:
Running was always popular in Marks’s family as Bertie Messitt (a national treasure) won a bronze medal at 10,000 meters at the World Championships in 1959. The following year he ran in the Rome Olympics. Bertie coached Mark as a juvenile to many national medals but Mark decided to hang up his spikes far too early in life. It was only in his early 40’s that he decided to get back training to keep fit and try the challenge of the marathon. He came back with a bang and ran over 100 marathons between 2015 and 2017, including ultras with his 100th Marathon taking place in Athens on the original course! Since then he has become very competitive again and a regular on the pacing scene. Mark is really looking forward to pacing in cork again this year and has lots more running stories to tell.
