Athletics London Marathon: Seamus Power and Peter Mathews, who between them have dominated Irish cross country running for the past decade, are now targeting the London Marathon in April as their best chance of qualification for the Athens Olympics.
The recent reduction in qualifying standards announced by the IAAF is the main reason behind their decision, and both athletes are optimistic about their chances even though neither has yet completed the 26.2-mile distance.
Power did start the Dublin Marathon in 1998, and for a long time was on course for an impressive debut only to collapse with exhaustion in the closing miles. Mathews has always held ambitions for the marathon but up to now has stayed clear of the necessary training, mostly because of injury.
Originally the A-standard for the marathon in Athens was set at two hours 12 minutes, but in November the IAAF revised it to 2:15 - largely because so few countries had athletes who were likely to qualify. The marathon was one of 12 men's events where the standard for Athens was reduced, with a similar revision in 11 women's events.
"The difference between running under 2:15 and under 2:12 is massive," says Power. "You can afford to slow down a little bit towards the end and still get under 2:15, but to run 2:12 you can't afford to slow down at all, and that makes it very, very difficult.
"And I realise now the marathon is definitely my best chance to make the Olympics. And my last chance. And if I get the training in and can get fit enough then I think it is possible. I came very close to making Sydney, and I do want to get to the Olympics."
His previous marathon experience is not something the Clare athlete is dwelling on: "To be honest I don't remember much about that race. But then I want to forget it."
Power this week joined Mathews in Dublin to start the specific marathon training, which involves running well over 100 miles a week during the next two months. The two have also planned a period of warm-weather training in Florida next month as part of their preparations for London, which takes place on April 18th.
They will, however, include some further cross country racing this season, and particularly the World Championship long course race in Brussels at the end of March. For Power, who won his ninth consecutive National Inter-Counties title last November, the cross country races will be an important part of the marathon preparations.
Mark Carroll, who already has the Olympic standard with his 2:10.54 from New York in November 2002, has also signed up to run in London. Irish champion Gary Crossan, who ran 2:20.27 in Dublin last October, and Martin McCarthy, who ran 2:18.44 in Berlin last October, are others targeting London.
