Belfast Marathon 2023
BY LEE MAGINNIS
MARY Slocum’s name pops up in F60 race results with amazing regularity and, over the past number of years, has become synonymous with record breaking and extremely fast recovery.
Take September 2024, for example, when she broke the Irish age group marathon record in Berlin and also the half marathon record in Belfast.
Mary takes time out from her busy schedule here to talk racing and training plus she offers some advice from her lengthy time in the sport.
She competes but also coaches, writes and is involved in administration.
Mary started running seriously when she was 29. She had been walking up the Mourne Mountains and when she was descending she was impressed by how effortless some people made it look.
That triggered the decision to begin running. Begin she did, the very next day, and completed the Dublin Marathon 18 months later!
What is your favourite distance?
Half Marathon
What are your PBs?
5K 19:50
10K 40:40
10M 67:31
HM 1:28.42
Marathon: 3:06.29
Who is your coach?
Norman Mawhinney from Run Hub in Newtownards.
What would you list as your best achievements so far?
It’s difficult to separate the achievements that gave me the most pleasure from those that I would probably perceive to be the ‘best’ achievements.
Representing Ireland and winning the World Masters HM and European Masters Marathon Championships in Poland in 2023 and 2024, winning the World Masters Marathon Championships in London in 2022 and winning the World Masters Marathon Championships in Bucharest in 2024 are events that spring to mind.
Breaking the F55 Irish record twice in the marathon when a few months away from turning 60 was a surprise at the time. I went on to break the F60 record 7 times and broke the F60 HM record 6 times. My most recent Irish records are from Berlin (Sept 24) and Belfast HM (Sept 24)
However, I think the event that gave me the most pleasure was breaking 3:15 in Belfast in 2022. My time from 1992 was 3:20 and I was keen to do better than that, although I severely doubted myself.
This was my third marathon since May 2019 and my 5th marathon in total. I started Strength and Conditioning at Run Hub at the end of 2021 and was also on a Run Hub marathon plan.
Norman’s support and encouragement were incredible and the amazing vocal support from my fellow Ward Park Runners along the Embankment that day drove me to the finish line at a pace that I don’t think I’ve matched on the home straight of a marathon since. The icing on the cake came a few days later when I discovered that I had broken the F55 Irish record!
How often do you train?
Every day. I do three key sessions per week: a speed session, a tempo run and a long run. On the other days I do easy running, except for race days, although I sometimes substitute a race for my tempo run.
What is it you like about running?
I like the feeling of accomplishment when I finish a tough session or a race.
I enjoy my easy runs, as it’s a time for me to unwind and let my mind wander, listen to music or just appreciate being able to get out and run.
I like running alone but also love the camaraderie of training and racing with others and driving each other on.
How often do you race on average per month?
In the summer, I race most weekends. In the winter it’s a bit less frequent, with XC events and a few marathons taking priority.
What advice do you have for other veteran athletes or those starting out in the veteran age groups?
Provided you have no medical conditions that can impact your ability to run, it’s never too late to start.
Be inspired by others, but don’t compare yourself to others.
Do strength and conditioning to help recovery and avoid injury.
Mix up your training. If you are not on a plan for a specific race, still try to do 3 key sessions a week: speed, tempo and a long run.
Remember, you are doing more than most people!
Can you tell us about Ward Park Runners?
The club became an Athletics NI Affiliated club in 2017 and I joined in 2018 after my husband died the previous year. I was asked by Ivan Prue, the founder of the club, if I would consider joining a number of times at parkrun, which I started to do in 2015.
WPR is an all-ability club which currently has approximately 190 members.
I consider myself to have had two running careers. After I completed two marathons in 1992 and 1993, I just ran around Bangor for the next 25 years. It wasn’t until I joined WPR that I became competitive and started taking part in races.
I was amazed at the difference that 2 training sessions per week made to my performance. I know that all members would agree when I say that the club is extremely supportive and encouraging, irrespective of ability. I don’t have the time to train as much with the club these days, but I like to think I still contribute by coaching and being involved with various committees.
I am currently a member of the Race Committee, and we are planning our inaugural 10K for later this year, which is very exciting for us.
Do you train mostly alone or in a group?
I usually do speed and tempo sessions with others at Run Hub, and I do everything else alone.
Any other sports?
No. I enjoy swimming and walking, which I don’t do very often these days.
Other leisure interests?
Most of my leisure activities are running related. Coaching, writing articles for WPR/Run Hub, and being on various club committees all keep me busy. I also enjoy cooking, reading and travelling.
What are your targets for 2025?
I would like to do sub 3:05 in the marathon and sub 1:28 in the HM. It would be nice to do sub 20 in a 5K again, as I haven’t done that since 2023.
Long-term targets?
To stay fit and healthy and be able to remain injury free. My goal is also to run the Tokyo marathon in 2026, after which I will have completed all 6 majors, with Boston on the cards for April 2025. Although, of course, Sydney has now been added to the list!
Running the Ards half marathon
