We are deeply honoured to welcome Irish athletics legend Catherina McKiernan to the team of “Inspiring You”.
Catherina is known for her resilience, dedication, enormous work ethic and humility. It is these characteristics that have endeared her to generations of athletics fans. This week marks the 20th anniversary of Catherina’s famous London marathon win on the 26th of April 1998
Her athletics record is truly world class having won the London, Berlin and Amsterdam marathons plus four World Cross country medals – the list goes on!
Catherina will be a regular contributor to our site and social media to help “Inspire You In Real Life – IYIRL” to lead an active and healthy lifestyle. She is very supportive of our work hoping that young people will start appreciating the simple things in life rather than being absorbed and distracted in a world of social media.
Catherina believes that, “That the greatest of all gifts is peace of mind”.
We at “Inspiring You” couldn’t agree more so together we hope that you all will work with us to make this dream become a reality for all people.
As we start Active Schools week 2018 we would love to hear what your school is doing to keep fit and active. You can “Contact Us” with the link to your website and we can share your message to a national audience.
You can also email us questions or comments you may have for us or Catherina and we will do our best to help you out.
Why not enter our 100 word #InspiringCatherina writing competition?
If you want an inspiring read why not check out Catherina’s sporting biography? We will be offering a signed copy of Catherina’s autobiography “Running For My Life” to the best entry that describes Catherina’s achievements or how you are inspired by her achievements in 100 words.
Simply get your teacher to put your #InspiringCatherina 100 word essay on your school blog/website by 3pm on May the 11th and email us the link to your work.
Our panel of judges will choose the winner and announce it at 5pm on May the 12th. The winner will have their #InspiringCatherina piece featured on our website and our social media and will receive a signed copy of Catherina’s acclaimed book.
#IYIRLHealth #InspiringCatherina #IYIRL #ASW18
Now read on and see how a young girl from Cavan dreamed of being an athlete and how hard work, resilience and dedication made the dream become a reality…….
Catherina McKiernan is regarded as one of the worlds best ever cross country runners. Born in Cornafean, County Cavan, Catherina grew up on the family farm. She played lots of sport during her school years before taking up athletics seriously in the late 1980’s.
Her first major success came in 1988 when she won the Irish schools cross country title. From there, her career as a cross country runner blossomed. She won silver in the World Cross Country championships four years in succession from 1992 to 1995. In these years, she finished top of the order of merit grand prix table. In 1994, she won the inaugural European Cross Country title.
In 1992 and 1996, Catherina represented Ireland at the Olympic Games.
In 1997, she moved up to the marathon and ran the fastest debut ever by a woman at the time, when she won the Berlin Marathon in a new Irish record of 2.23.44.
In April 1998, she became the first Irish person to win the London Marathon. In November of the same year, she broke her own Irish record to win the Amsterdam marathon in a time of 2.22.23 which is the current Irish marathon record.
Catherina has also won several national titles on the track and cross country and remains one of Irelands favourite all time sports personalities. She is now a qualified MasterChiRunning instructor, teaching the correct mechanics for effortless injury free running.
Athletic Achievements:
World Cross Country Silver Medalist
1992, 1993, 1994, 1995
Winner of IAAF Cross Country Challenge
1991/2, 1992/3, 1993/4, 1994/5
Gold Medalist European Cross Country Championships
1994
Fastest Womens Marathon Deput in History, Berlin, 1997
1st in 2:23:44
Winner of three big city marathons:
Berlin
London
Amsterdam
Marathon personal best 2:22:23 (Irish Record)
Track Personal bests:
5,000m 14:49
10,00m 31:08
Irish Olympian 1992 & 1996
For more information on Catherina’s work and athletic achievements checkout www.runwithcatherina.ie
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