Mary O’Halloran and Margaret Murphy – a Sister Act

It’s a family affair for February’s profile as we join the O’Callaghan and the O’Halloran clans.  Anyone in the club (and beyond!) who knows Yvonne Gough will already be familiar with the power of her ‘gentle’ coaxing nudges. She is now widely acknowledged as Togher AC’s own Mrs Doyle with her arm-twisting to sign up to BHAA or park runs (and even the odd marathon) becoming the stuff of legend in the club. In fact many a Fit4Lifer has turned up to a leisurely Sunday run and brunch in Blackrock Castle only to find themselves signed up for the Dublin marathon by the time they have finished their coffee. 

And so it was in January 2017, after spotting a flyer for Fit4Life at the Togher AC 5km race in late December that Yvonne persuaded sisters Mary and Mags to join the club (with the promise of tea/coffee after runs).  The chain of gentle coaxing continued with husbands Fergus and John joining the following year and a string of other park runners have been ‘recruited’ to the club over the past six years by the two sisters. 

The two couples epitomise what Togher Fit4Life is all about –  you’ll find Mary and Mags consistently turning up to track sessions on a Tuesday – whatever the weather! They’ll participate in with gusto in whatever events are planned by the club– from the Dungarvan 10mile they recently completed, Wednesday’s body-pump class in the clubhouse to wine-tasting evenings in L’atitude. John and Margaret even managed to turn their wine-tasting into a ‘training’ session as they completed the Marathon du Medoc wine marathon in 2018. 

They are also active volunteers in the club (John is currently coaching the juvenile section), helping out with 0-5 km groups, at the annual 5km run and they will always make an effort to welcome new members and to help out with whatever is going on.

When did you join the club?

We both joined in January 2017. We turned up on a cold starry night to Tuesday night track as we’d discovered that the Fit4life group had just run a warm up 5K and were ready to start speed sessions! We both looked at each other and thought ‘oh well what have we got to lose?’ and off we went from there in our mid 40’s with newfound energy levels.

Did you have previous running experience?

Mary: Does running in primary school count? I ran in the Cork City Sports up to aged 12 in 100m & relay. Our track was the front drive of the Convent in Christ King Turners Cross and the old Nemo pitch.

Margaret: Very little  – I did my first reindeer run in Fota in 2014. John ran when he was younger in the North Mon and for Carrignavar.

What is your favourite thing about the club?

It truly is the club members and volunteers. The words of encouragement, that smile on the track and everybody looking out for each other whether you are just finding your feet as a beginner or if you are trying to improve times. It is social participation at its best and the doing is more important than winning.

The social coffees on a Sun morning also have to be mentioned and the friendships built over the years with other club members. 

What are your proudest running moments to date?

Mary:  My first run in Sept 2014 which was a 4 miler and I had only barely trained for 3 miles. (turned up on my own to the start line and just went for it)

Completing my first Marathon in 2018 was another proud moment but my proudest moment of all was running the last Ballycotton 10 miler in 2017 with Fergus and crossing the line together. We didn’t plan that but ended up on the last tortuous mile side by side through the village. 

Margaret: Likewise – building up from my first 5km race to doing the Ballycotton 10 and then completing the marathon is 2018 with John.

What future running plans and targets do you have? 

Mary: I think if we just keep lacing up and turning up that would be the plan for the future. The most important thing for me is to stay fit and enjoy the running as it’s so great for the body and mind. I would definitely look into some running abroad with added bonus of sunshine and singlets.

I’ll just keep entering those races, short and long for as long as we can.

Margaret: If we both keep injury free it will be Marathon du Medoc again in September 2023 and the Dublin marathon in October.

What would you say to anyone who would love to have company while running, but is hesitant to join a club?

Convince a friend to join with you and you will have no regrets. Think of the lovely weekends away in Dingle, West Cork and Dublin with a run thrown in for good measure. Just go for it  – it’s a super friendly club and everyone looks out for one another.