EMER McKee… the name is already synonymous with running in Northern Ireland, despite her tender age of 15.
The sight of her racing round the track, on the cross country and keeping up with the men on the road, has been enjoyed by athletics connoisseurs in Ulster and further afield.
Blessed with a flawless running style, Emer rose to fame when she broke a World Best time some years ago. She has just kept on getting better. She kindly took some time out to talk to Lee Maginnis.
It seems like yesterday you broke the World Best age-group time for 5K and media right across the world went crazy. Can you tell me about that experience? What age were you and what was the record time? What was it like to suddenly be in the spotlight like that?
Yes it was crazy, I was 12 and I ran 16:44 for 5K and a couple of months later I ran 16:27. I was in lockdown at the time so I wasn’t really focusing on any races. It was an absolutely amazing experience. It seems like a long time ago now and I’ve since managed to get my time down to 16:23.
When did your running career actually begin?
I started running when I was about nine when I joined my club Willowfield Harriers, before that I had only gone out on runs with my mum or done parkrun.
When did you realise that this was something you were really good at?
When I was in P5, I participated in the east Belfast primary schools cross country which I won! However I was disqualified from the final for being too young as the race was for P6s and P7s only.
You also play midfield GAA football? How does this work alongside your running and is it something you want to continue?
I love playing for my club Bredagh. I love to play midfield as it allows me to run loads and I play this position for my club and school team.
You have just kept on achieving in athletics. Everything from 1500m track to all Irish cross country. What is your favourite surface to race on? Track, road or cross country?
I really love when I get the opportunity to run on the road but my favourite is running on the track in the summer, as it’s got a great atmosphere and there’s always plenty of support.
What is your favourite distance?
I love the variety of distances I get to run at the minute but my favourite has to be either 1500 or 3000m as I really enjoy the slightly longer events.
What do you consider your biggest achievement so far?
My biggest achievement to me so far is either winning 1500m All Ireland Schools gold or my recent U16 All Ireland Cross Country win!
How do you cope with all the attention everywhere you go?
I just try to focus on the race and just not worry about what anyone else thinks.
Any favourite places to race?
I love to run at the Mary Peters Track, whether I’m training or racing, it’s such an amazing venue to have locally.
What is your favourite tactic?
I don’t really think about tactics I just like to run as fast as I can.
You have a great running style, is this something you work on?
Thank you, I’ve never really focused on it so I’m very lucky it comes naturally.
Are you from a sporting family?
I’d say so. Both my brothers play a lot of sport too. Before I started running, I tried out loads of different sports and previously swam in a club training a couple of days a week. But I definitely prefer running!
What other interests have you?
I play Gaelic for school and club and I also play netball in school which is really fun with all my friends.
What are your aims for the coming season?
My aims are to hopefully try and get a few PBs and just enjoy each race and the experience as much as I can.
What are your long term aims?
My long terms aims aren’t much different, I just want to keep on improving while still loving what I’m doing.
Willowfield Temperance Harriers just keep on producing great young athletes.
My coach Lawson Cochrane is brilliant, he gives up a lot of his time for the club and I have such a great training group! Our U16 team won gold at the recent national cross country.
