Posted: August 1, 2005

Athletics: Irishman Carroll Plans To Return To NYC Marathon

From David Monti

© 2005 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved RaceResultsWeekly.com

"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."

NOTE: RRW provides consulting services to the New York Road Runners, the organizers of the ING New York City Marathon --Ed.