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Aug-1-2005
IRISHMAN CARROLL PLANS TO RETURN TO NYC MARATHON
by David Monti
(c) Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved
"It's great to be coming back to New York."
So said multiple Irish record holder Mark Carroll today after race director
Mary Wittenberg announced that he had entered the 2005 ING New York City
Marathon scheduled for Sunday, November 6. Carroll, 33, ran the famous Five
Borough marathon in his debut in 2002, finishing sixth in 2:10:54. But
since then, due mostly to a pelvic injury, he has only gotten to one
marathon starting line and has yet to complete another marathon.
"If I can just stay healthy, (and) get to November 6 in one piece I should
have a good day then," said Carroll on a international conference call with
reporters.
Carroll had planned to run New York in both 2003 and 2004, but was forced to
withdraw. A persistent hip pain, caused by a biomechanical problem and one
leg being slightly shorter than the other, has been primarily to blame. He
has since gotten treatment, a prescription for special exercises, and unique
orthodics which compensate for his leg length difference.
"I see the marathon as a new challenge, a new chapter in my career" he said
adding that although he is not going to compete in the IAAF World
Championships in Athletics he's not done yet on the track. His goal is a
high finish at New York, and not any particular finish time. "To come to
New york and run well would be my priority," he said. "New York is a
difficult course, a tricky course."
The fastest time ever by an Irishman is 2:09:15 run by John Treacy at Boston
in 1988. Is Carroll looking to break that record?
"That would be icing on the cake," said the former miler.
Carroll is the latest addition to a strong men's field which includes
defending champion, Hendrick Ramaala of South Africa, Olympic marathon
silver medalist Meb Keflezighi of Mammoth Lakes, Calif., and Swiss national
record holder, Viktor Röthlin.
Carroll thinks that his patience and knowledge of the course will give him a
leg up on the competition, no matter who is entered. He's also trying not
to overthink the race.
"At the end of the day, there is 26 miles of road to be covered," he said.
"It isn't rocket science."
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