Marion Lyons Winner Cork City Marathon 1986
In 1984, Marion Lyons received sponsorship from Three Stripe International, the Adidas distributor based on the Tramore Road in Cork. Its owner, Michael O’Connell, showed remarkable generosity, ensuring she always had the best Adidas gear available. That support became a foundation for the years of training that followed. Under the guidance of her coach, the late Michael Clancy, Marion committed to a demanding marathon programme built on 70–80 miles a week . Her routine included three speed sessions weekly, dedicated hill work, track training, and grass sessions to build strength and resilience. Twice a week she tackled long runs, often from Blarney - where she lived - out to Donoughmore or Whitechurch. These routes became the backbone of her preparation, the miles that told her she was on track for a sub three hour marathon. She rarely trained alone. Marion was regularly accompanied by Michael Dunne of St. Finbarr’s AC and Joe Murphy of Eagle AC, two athletes whose company and consistency helped shape her progress. Together, they represented the best of Cork’s running community - supportive, competitive, and committed. In 1986, that work came to fruition. Marion finished the Cork City Marathon in 3:01 , a performance
that reflected both discipline and determination. Later that same year, she lined up for the Dublin City Marathon , where she achieved a superb 2:54, breaking the three hour barrier and securing her place among Cork’s standout marathoners of the era. Forty years on, Marion’s story remains a testament to what defined marathon running in the 1980s: community, hard training, and the quiet belief that miles - and the people who help you run them - can change everything.
52 Cork City Marathon 2026
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