Ed Byrne

This month’s interview and extended profile is with senior athlete Ed Byrne.

When/how/why did you take up running?

I took up running nearly five years ago, thanks to my son Shane. Around 2014, Shane joined Togher AC’s Little Athletics programme, which had just been set up by Aidan Hartnett, who was looking for parent volunteers to help out with Little Athletics, and so I helped out.

I used see the adults training on the track at sessions and sort of envied them. In November 2018, I plucked up the courage to try out a 5k BHAA race. Of course, to my mortification the legendary Tony Kelleher was there, running in my age category! I thought I’d be laughed out of the place if I was seen do a race, but Tony was really encouraging and made me feel included with all these ‘real’ runners. Of course he swept home to a category prize, while I managed a sub-20 minute time, and a big positive split!

That gave me the encouragement and confidence to run and train with some of the adults at the club from 2019. I’ve really enjoyed it and have been grateful to be able to run, especially with Tony and Aidan’s guidance, while it’s been incredible to watch the group grow, develop and flourish.

When and why did you join Togher AC?

Since about 2014 through family, then running with the club since 2019.

What are your preferred distances?

5k on road, 1500m on track.
(..and as short as possible cross country!!)

What are your PBs?

1500m (track): 4.37 (2023)
5k: 17.06 (2023)
10k: 38.08 (2023)
10m: 62.32 (2023)

What is your proudest running moment?

Winning silver in the All-Ireland Masters 1500m at M50 category in Tullamore last August.
It was my first national medal in anything, and also a terrific day for the club and our coaches, with other track successes too, which hopefully can be built upon by other athletes from the club in years to come..

Winning the 1500m M50 Munster title in Templemore this year was special too, as was winning my first championship medal as M50 cross country Cork County champion last Hallowe’en, on a day you wouldn’t put a cat out!

Who are your coaches?

Tony Kelleher and Aidan Hartnett.

They’ve combined to massively enhance the quality and quantity of adult and masters running in our club over a very short space of time in a fun environment through their care, dedication and expertise.

What is your main running goal for the next 12 months?

Get through the cross country season in one piece, then kick on with some road races and track season, all the time enjoying it and staying injury free.

What is your most memorable race/running moment and why?

Hitting all my goals with a silver medal and PB in the 1500m M50 All-Ireland’s last August. It’s a lovely feeling when you know you’ve left it all out there, achieved your targets, resulting in a podium finish, which to be honest, is something I never dreamed would ever happen.

What do you like most about Togher AC?

It’s members and welcoming ethos, at whatever level you are.

What would you say to someone thinking of taking up running?

Start small, then slowly build up.
Don’t be afraid to join a group/club; the camaraderie/social element is a real attraction and driver, while whatever level or age you are at, you will be genuinely welcomed.

Parkruns are also a lovely introduction to a communal 5k run (or walk) for all ages and abilities, being very inclusive and welcoming of newcomers.

Who is your favourite sporting hero?

I suppose from an athletics perspective, as a child, Eamonn Coghlan was stellar, and a rare source of pride for Irish people at the time. A world record holder and number one, yet he still had the heartbreak of two Olympic fourths. He deserved so much more, but with his positive attitude, went on to become inaugural World Champion in Helsinki. Surely Ireland’s greatest never to medal at the Olympics! 😔

What is your favourite food, drink and movie?
Italian food is hard to beat! So is a good coffee or a nice beer, while I can’t admit to really being a movie buff.