When Martin ( Marty) Gorman told us on the committee of The Newry City Marathon, Half Marathon, Walk Event and Fun Run that he would be unable to continue with his invaluable input and assistance in the planning and staging of this now important festival of fitness and fund raising, we were very reluctant to accept his decision.
Marty has been with our team since it began in 2008, and has seen, and been part of the planning and many of the changes throughout the Events history.
Many participants, over the years have seen The Newry City Marathon as just that.. A Marathon. But it has always been four events, providing four very differing challenges for all ages and abilities, regardless of creed, sex or race, to take on a personal challenge, and in doing so improve their self confidence. Marty was always been part of this ideal. His help creating this unique day in our city's athletics calendar allowed people to achieve their goal!
What was most important of all is his total commitment to the safety and well being of all who took part, spectated and marshalled at all our events.
That is how Marty made these aims achievable to everyone who took part.
The preparations for these Events take place all year round, at all times of the day, and any day of the week, and can cover anything from doing a radio interview to measuring a race route in the pouring rain, or giving advice at the annual Marathon Help Desk each May, the month of the Event. If one piece of advice you are really in need of was, or still is "how do I break the magic three hour barrier for the Marathon?" then Marty is without doubt the person to ask....and the person to give the definitive answer, because he has achieved this, most recently in 2013. Although he would be the last person to tell you this, he has also mentored many sub three hour Marathoners, and still can!
So now I hope people realise that there are certainly not enough days in the week, for everyone, to continue indefinitely with this challenge, hold down a full time career and contend with all the other challenges we all have day and daily.
Marty, thanks a million from us all, Damien, Raymie, Jen, Tony, Seanie,Willie, Denis and Jackie!