USPE Marathon Championships

Dublin, Ireland

28 th October 2018

The European Police Sport Union [USPE] Marathon takes place every four year. 2018 was the occasion for Ireland to host the Championships. The Dublin Marathon is one of the largest marathons in the world with over 20,000 competitors. It was with great pleasure that USPE were invited to take part in this race. For Police Sport UK [PSUK] this was a marvellous opportunity with a hop across the water.

PSUK selected athletes from across the country that achieved the set qualifying time [Men 2.45hrs Women 3.05hrs] and/or took part in the PSUK Championships earlier in the year held at Exeter in May. PSUK selected a team of 6 men and 4 women.

Athletes arrived on the 26th October and registered for the event at the Crown Plaza Hotel on arrival. 2 Hotels next to each other were used close to the airport and near to the city centre for ease of transport.

On 27th October team managers attended the Technical meeting where finite information was given and any questions answered. Shortly after the meeting all the teams attended the Morton Stadium for the Opening Ceremony. One athlete from each country led their team carrying the Nations flag and wearing the national Police uniform.

A welcome message was given from Assistant Commissioner Anne Marie McMahon Chair of Coiste Siamsa An Garda Siochana. There were Oaths sworn on behalf of the Athletes, Coaches and Referees. Graham Heeley from the UK took the Oath on behalf of the Coaches. USPE President, Luc Smeyers declared the 7th USPE Marathon Open.

In the afternoon of the 27th October all members of the delegations were taken to the RDS Expo for the Dublin Marathon where athletes could get any last minute items and get into the spirit of the event.

It was then back to the Hotel for an early night before and early start. RACE DAY!

The start of the race took place on Fitzwilliam Street Upper. This wide-open traffic City Centre road position gave plenty of room for the participants and spectator space. The USPE athletes had a separate warm up area and bag drop location making everything a smooth process for the competitors.

The race started in waves as follows: Wheelchair entrants 08:55 / 1st wave Elite/USPE Start 09:00 / 2nd wave 09:15 / 3rd wave 09:30 / Final wave 09:45. The below link shows the route.

http://sseairtricitydublinmarathon.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/SSE-AT-DM18-ROUTE-MAP.pdf

The Dublin Marathon supplied an “App” that could track athletes as they went through several poignant mile markers which was great for spectators.

The field very quickly spread out after the various wave starts. From the announcers we could hear how the race was developing. A race within a race. Rumour had spread that local boy David Mansfield of Ireland was in good form and indeed he was coming home as the first USPE athlete in a time of 2.20.15. He was followed home 5 minutes later by Germany’s Marcel Brautigam in 2.25.44. He was closely followed by PSUK Athlete Martin Williams in 2.26.19. That sorted the individual medals out it was now a time for the team placings so every country across the line mattered. Team placings are done on cumulative time. So valuable seconds could make all the difference.

Meanwhile the ladies’ race was hotting up. PSUK Carla Swithenbank, was having a blinder and smashing her personal best time coming home in a time of 2.46.13 giving the UK a USPE winner. Unbelievable PSUK Jill Collett also running a blinder of a race and smashing her PB with a 2.47.46 putting her into 2nd place in front of Kaisa Kukk from Estonia in 2.51.45. Kaisa was having a battle with PSUK Lyndsey Eastman who she overtook in the last few hundred metres to put Lyndsey into 4 th

place with a time of 2.51.59 with yet again another PB. PSUK were now well placed for the team prize. 4th place PSUK member Katherine Cousins also had a brilliant run with another PB finishing 9 th with a time of 2.59.01 breaking that 3-hour barrier. Well done ladies.

The men continued to stream over the line. With the first 3 awards taken it was running for PB’s and team awards. PSUK next runner was Aaron Wilson in another PB of 2.31.28 in 12 th place. Rob Grantham followed him in 17th in a time of 2.34.19. Fourth team counter for PSUK was Alex Daniels

in 33rd with a time of 2.40.39. 5th PSUK was Andy Dobby in 37th with 2.43.07. Simon Newton finished the PSUK line up in 68th place in 2.58.43.

With all of PSUK team home it was now a waiting game to find out the team results and it was going to be close.

The 2018 SSE Airtricity Dublin Marathon Medal celebrates female participation & links with the nationwide commemoration of Vótáil 100 with the appearance of Constance Markievicz.

https://apps.facebook.com/FinisherPix/. Link to race photographs. Above picture shows Winner Carla Swithenbank centre with Jill Collett left, Kaisa Kukk right.

A nail-biting wait for the team results as Graham Heeley was pulled into assist the local organisers knowing his experience and knowledge as a top UK marathon official would be helpful.

Results are in! With Martin Williams already on the stand winning the individual Bronze medal he put PSUK into a good position. A well-earned win for France with a time of 10:00:30 hours, followed by Germany with 10:06:17 and yes, the boys did it and took 3rd in 10:12:45 pushing the hosts Ireland into 4th place in a time of 10:16:06 hours.

Gold medallist David Mansfield centre, Marcel Brautigam Silver on left and Martin Williams on the right as Bronze medallist.

Ts Team awards: UK 1st, Germany 2nd, France 3rd. Men: France 1st, Germany 2nd, UK 3rd.

Time to celebrate with PSUK’s greatest medal haul at the marathon!

Our thanks go to the Dublin Marathon organisers and our colleagues from the Garda for putting on a fantastic Championships.

A final well done and congratulations to all the athletes who took part and especially to the PSUK team who excelled themselves. All hard working 24/7 Police Officers showing great dedication to their training and representing our country with pride. A great example.

Written by Team Manager Katherine Willoughby