The 2010 Rose of Tralee Charmaine Kenny presented the Golden Runner to Martin Lyons after his win in last year's Achill Half Marathon. Pic: Brian Farrell
Martin determined to defend his title
Anton McNulty
The winner of last year’s Achill Half-Marathon, Martin Lyons is determined to do all he can to defend his title in July but he knows only too well they he is lucky to be walking following a freak accident.
Three years ago running never came close to entering Mullingar man, Martin Lyons’ mind and he readily admits that he ‘could not run from here to the door’ never mind think of taking part in half-marathons.
That all changed when in late 2007, Martin was knocked by a horse and banged his head off concrete which resulted in him being rushed to Beaumont hospital with a fractured skull.
He underwent emergency surgery on his brain and spent three days in intensive care and it was ‘touch and go’ for a long time during the surgery. However, Martin made a quicker than expected recovery and was advised to take up running as part of his rehabilitation. He joined the Mullingar Harriers and not long afterwards was hooked on the new sport.
“I was only 20 when I started running and within two and a half years I had won the Achill Half-Marathon,” he told The Mayo News. “In January 2008, I started to jog on my own and I could feel the screws in my head with every step I took and it was a weird sensation. I decided to join the Harriers in February and it worked out well for me.
“I would not consider myself an exceptionally gifted runner but I am determined to get as much out of myself as I can. I’m only 23 now and I’m improving all the time and hope to hit my peak when I’m 27 or 28. Running for me has gone from being an aid to my recovery to become a very serious hobby. I try to train smart and I’m dedicated in that I restrict my diet and drink very little now which is a complete turnaround.”
The Achill Half-Marathon in 2010 was only Martin’s third half-marathon and he came to Achill hoping to break into the top ten. However, as he reached the eight mile mark he felt good and kicked on to lead the 1,600 field home.
“I never ran it before and it is a tough race because of the hills but they are a challenge and I like a challenge. The hills ensure you run smart at the start and don’t go flat out and by the eight mile mark I felt good and surprised myself. The long races suit me better, I’m like a Grand National horse.”
As the defending champion Martin has his training set for him to peak for Achill on July 2 and is determined to give it another crack.
“Hopefully things will go well for me on the day and I will give it a good go. It is such a nice race but it is also a good weekend down in Achill with a good atmosphere after the race. Hopefully I will be celebrating again.”