Tony Mangan - The World Record Breaker

Towards the end of the race I was escorted by the race referee to my finishing spot to put down a marker to mark what I thought to be a course record. Jaroslav Kocourek, a Czech runner was the first to shake my hand and congratulate me on breaking his indoor world record! I asked him what he meant: was it not a course record? “Yes it’s a course record but the course record is also the world record!” That was a pleasant shock to me! I looked for Kenjai and gave him a massive hug. We exchanged flags and were photographed holding each others flag. Then third place Vlastimil Dvoracek came over. We exchanged race stories.

I fell into a chair and gave 2 television interviews and numerous photos as the arena sign flashed World 48 hour indoor record Tony Mangan Ireland 426.178km  (264. 81miles) Kenjais second place total was 412.9km. Third was the Czech runner Vlastimil Dvoracek in 374.9km. Irina Koval from Russia won the womens race with 353.4km. Nina Mytrofanova from the Ukraine was second, 334.4km. Michaela Dimitriadu, Czech Rep. 322.3km, third. My 24 hour splits were 223km and 203km.

We got onto the podium sharing with the 3 womens winners. We were all so tired, almost falling off and hanging onto each other as the presentations continued with individual awards for each finisher. Eventually they allowed us to sit down on the podium while the ceremony continued.

I went back to the hotel, showered and slept for about 4 hours and went out to dinner with the other runners. I sat with Kenjai. He told me about life as a runner in Japan. His wife is a 10 day runner. It was very expensive for him and his handler to come here. I felt sorry for him. I was wearing my traditional race night tee-shirt which reads: Battered, shattered, plastered and twisted! I was happy and this made up for so many heartbreaking second place finishes during my ultrarunning career. My club physio Michael Farrell deserves a lot of credit for his great work getting me ready for races. Many times I have doubted if I can get over some injuries but Michael always seems to pull me through. In 5 years working on me the masochist has never failed me!

Race director, Tomas Rusek did a wonderful job putting on this incredible race which went like a well-oiled machine without a hitch. The trophy I was presented with was so big I didn’t know how to get it home!

He called to my room the next morning to give me a large sports bag which the trophy barely fitted into. I went to the airport put the 48 hour shoes into the x-ray machine and pitied the operator! As I put them on I heard some Irish weekend revelers asking. Did you run? Thinking they were talking to me I turned just as the other was replying, Are you crazy? I couldn’t run across the street! I had a little chuckle and walked very slowly through the terminal. I was happy.

Tony Mangan.

Congratulations again to you Tony from all of us here in EnduranceSource!

For more information on Tony and his incredible running achievements please feel free to visit his website at: www.tonymangan.com or click on the following button