Sir, - Praiseworthy as the effort was by Ms Jane Watt and Mr Graham Porter in completing the Malin Head to Mizen Head run in seven days, nine hours, four minutes and 36 seconds, it is far from being a record. I am open to correction but I believe the Irish end-to-end record still stands to my Irish international race-walking colleague John Dowling (born 1929), who race walked under supervision the 644km (400.2 miles) in five days, 22 hours and 30 minutes between the 18th and 24th March 1982.
This time is some one day, 10 hours and 34 minutes faster than the record claimed in the article by Joe Humphreys in The Irish Times (August 14th).
It is noteworthy that Dowling, one of the finest endurance athletes Ireland ever produced, was 53 when he achieved the record. It was recognised as such by the Guinness Book of Records, which in most cases seek written corroboration in the form of press coverage and signed authentication by independent adult witnesses of standing in the community. Signed log books should show that there has been unremitting surveillance where appropriate.
Some years ago I was approached by a group who had taken part in a charity walk event where they had covered some 20 miles a day for several days and was asked to coach them in an attempt to beat the record. After just one training session they realised the huge gap there was in a leisurely 20 miles a day and being on their feet for up to 15 hours a day and walking at a pace of between five to six miles an hour for hours on end for up to six days. My coaching ended after just the one session and this particular attempt was never made.
Runners should obviously complete the distance faster, and going on other end-to-end records and endurance attempts like John O Groats to Lands End I believe the Irish end-to-end run could be completed in less than five days by an experienced, well-trained ultra distance runner. - Yours, etc.,
Con Hearty, Prospect Lawn, Cabinteely, Dublin 18.
