Derry runner Cahterine Whoriskey who won last year’s Waterside Half Marathon
CATHERINE Whoriskey became the first local woman in three decades to win the female title in the 2015 Waterside Half Marathon (WHM) and there’s no holding her back from this year’s competition.
However with the countdown now on to the popular annual event, which takes place on Sunday September 4th this year, organised by Derry City and Strabane District Council, the 30-year-old mum-of-one insists that her main aim for the 35th WHM is to enjoy it!
Catherine, who ran her first WHM two years ago after the birth of her daughter Rionagh, before going on to win the female race last year, makes the 13.1 mile workout sound like a labour of love.
The City of Derry Spartan recalls: “I did it the first time when my daughter was three or four months old to get out running again but last year was my first proper half marathon.” Catherine crossed the WHM 2015 finish line in 83.08 to the delight of her “brilliant” band of supporters comprised of family, friends and work colleagues from Leafair Community Association.
While Catherine is full of praise for the lifelong support of her parents Peter and Kate Lilburn, she credits her 63-year-old dad – himself a running veteran – with keeping her on track!
“He is a big part of getting me back into running; it was him who basically dragged me out of the house to take up running again so, I have him to thank,” jokes the former Northern Ireland Cross Country junior champion, also praising the support of her husband Declan and her youngest fan, their little pride and joy, Rionagh.
Catherine, who competed at international level up until the age of 16, took a break from athletics before taking up the sport again when she was 25. Since last year’s WHM, she was selected for two international teams with Athletics Northern Ireland, and more recently claimed the Northern Ireland 10,000m and 5,000m track and field titles.
In March, the Derry woman ran the World Half Marathon as part of the Northern Ireland team, and was delighted to shave three minutes off her WHM 2015 time, coming in at 80.09.
The upcoming WHM 2016 will be a bit of a family affair for Catherine, whose sister Clare Harkin, a science teacher at St Mary’s College and also a member of City of Derry, will be running in the event for the first time.
Their other sister, Mari Lilburn, who’s a PE teacher in Liverpool, will be cheering them on with the rest of the family.
Looking ahead to competing in the WHM for the third time on September 4th, Catherine says she loves the popular new route which was changed last year from Gransha Grounds. Starting in Ebrington Square, the course will once again take runners across the river to the cityside, showcasing our parks, greenways and bridges before finishing at St Columb’s Park.
Catherine continued: “I am really looking forward to running a route I know with familiar faces cheering everyone on from the side lines. Although I am training hard and I would like to get a PB which is the ultimate aim for any runner, the Half Marathon is different for me. It is a race I can go out and enjoy because it is not a distance I do all the time.
“I go for the feel good factor; if I don’t enjoy it then it’s not for me. The WHM is a brilliant route which takes in so much of the city and draws in more of a crowd. Running through familiar places which might just bring back a memory is so enjoyable.”
And as if running a Half Marathon isn’t enough of a challenge, Catherine reveals that her favourite part of the route is the hill climb at the Foyle Bridge. “I just love hills,” laughs the laid back athlete who is already looking ahead to the Cross Country season starting in October.
For anyone who fancies a challenge, entries for the WHM 2016 close at midnight on Monday, 15th August 2016. No entries will be accepted after this date. Entries are available for Half Marathon Runners/Wheelchairs, 3-Person Team Relay and 2k Family Fun Run. For registration details, visit www.derrystrabane.com
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