By 1993, Ireland had changed significantly since Dick Hooper’s Dublin Marathon historic third triumph in 1986. The late 1980s and early 1990s were a time of recovery and transformation. Following the economic difficulties of the 1980s, Ireland was starting to see the first signs of the ‘Celtic Tiger’ that would later define the country’s rapid economic boom. This period was marked by optimism, investment in technology, and a burgeoning sense of national pride. The political landscape had also evolved, with the country continuing to navigate the complexities of Northern Ireland while seeing important social shifts.
The Homecoming of John Treacy
Amid this backdrop, John Treacy’s participation in the 1993 Dublin Marathon was not just another race. For Treacy, a man who had carried the hopes of a nation to Olympic silver at the 1984 Los Angeles Games, this was a homecoming of sorts, the final marathon chapter of a storied career that spanned over a decade and a half at the top tier of international athletics. As one of Ireland’s most celebrated distance runners, Treacy had nothing left to prove. But, with the Dublin Marathon, he sought to give his Irish fans one last glimpse of his brilliance.
The anticipation was palpable as Treacy stood on the starting line with some of Ireland’s finest long-distance runners. The Waterford native, already a seasoned marathoner with Olympic silver to his name, had nothing left to prove.
With 4,000 runners entered for the race, there was an undeniable buzz in the air. The chilly autumn morning was ideal for marathon running, but Treacy knew that this wouldn’t be an easy race. However, his calm and measured approach hinted at the experience of a man who had been at the top of the sport for nearly two decades.
The Race: A Tactical Masterclass
The first miles of the marathon passed at a controlled pace, with Treacy nestled comfortably in the lead pack. The early stages saw a group of ten athletes sticking together, including Treacy, John Griffin, Tommy Maher, and former champion Dick Hooper. Their splits in the first few miles, 5:20 for the first, 5:17 for the second, and 5:21 for the third suggested that no one was looking to make an early move.
By the 10 mile mark, the leading pack, which consisted of 10 runners, reached the checkpoint in 51:58. Among them were Treacy, John Griffin, Tommy Maher, Mohammed Abadia of Algeria, England's Chris Penny, Finland's Pekka Ratakari, and former champion Dick Hooper.
Shortly after the 10 mile point, Treacy made a calculated move, surging ahead and taking Richardson and Abadia with him. It appeared to be a decisive break, but after passing the halfway point in 1:07:35, the main chasing group, minus Hooper and Penny, soon reeled them back in by mile 15. Mitchell dropped away as Griffin and Maher took on most of the pacing, running the next two miles in 5:03 and 5:07. All the while, Treacy remained poised, looking effortlessly fresh.
At mile 18, Griffin made a bold move, breaking up the lead group of seven. Showcasing the tactical nous that had won him his previous titles, Treacy pounced. "When John (Griffin) moved, I found there were just the two of us clear, and I felt this was a good point to start pushing it," Treacy later recounted. On a gentle incline between Crumlin and Walkinstown, Treacy began to assert his dominance and established a lead of 20 metres.
By the time they reached the 19-mile mark, Treacy had covered the mile in 4:50, the fastest of the race. The gap between him and Griffin had grown to 150 metres by mile 20, which Treacy passed in 1:42:50 after another brisk 4:55 mile. From this point, he continued to increase his lead, running the next five miles in 5:05, 5:02, 4:53, 5:06, and 5:08, strengtheninig his position at the front.
Runners on the first lap at Harold's Cross began to slow, cheering him on as he cruised towards victory. It was clear that Treacy was in control, and it seemed as though he might win by an even greater margin. However, as he descended Leeson Street and approached St. Stephen’s Green, he felt a tightening in his hamstring. Treacy made the sensible decision to ease off. "At that stage, I felt I had it won and saw no point in being foolish," he would later explain to the Irish Independent.
The Final Mile: A Champion’s Resolve
Despite the cramp in the closing stages, Treacy’s victory was never in doubt. His friend, Eamonn Coghlan, called out from the sidelines, urging him to stay composed: "Nice and easy, nice and relaxed, John!" Treacy heeded the advice and maintained a controlled pace as he entered O’Connell Street. The packed crowds lining both sides erupted in cheers as Treacy approached the finish, providing him with a final surge of energy.
Crossing the line outside the GPO in a time of 2:14:40, Treacy was greeted with a rapturous reception. He had come within 55 seconds of Gerry Kiernan’s 1982 course record, but the time was of little concern to him. "At this stage of my career, I’m just concerned about winning races, and it is wonderful to win in Dublin," he said afterwards, reflecting on his second marathon victory.
His margin of victory was 62 seconds over Griffin, who finished in 2:15:42. Dunshaughlin’s Tommy Maher claimed third in 2:17:15.
"It was great to come and race here," Treacy said, his voice still filled with emotion. "The reception was wonderful, especially in the last half mile. It was something very special to win here." He also added, “The crowd at the finish reminded me of Limerick in ’79. They were really fantastic, and the reception was rather emotional.”
The Women’s Race: Catherina Shum’s Triumph
In the women’s race, Santry-born Catherine Shum also delivered an impressive performance, crossing the finish line in 2:38:14, the third-fastest time ever recorded in the history of the Dublin Marathon and the eighth-best on the Irish all-time list at the time. For Shum, who now lived in England, it was a breakthrough moment in her running career.
Shum, who had only started running seriously a few years earlier, had improved by a massive 32 minutes from her previous best. Galway’s Bernie Stankard came home in second place with a personal best of 2:42:38, while Patricia Griffin from Ballinamore took third in 2:46:08.
A Marathon to Remember
For Treacy, the 1993 Dublin Marathon was the perfect homecoming, a chance to run in front of the Irish fans that had supported him throughout his career. It was also a final, glorious chapter in the capital for the career of one of Ireland’s most beloved athletes. As the cheers echoed down O’Connell Street and Treacy soaked in the applause, there was a sense that this was not just a victory for him, but for Irish athletics as a whole.
"I always wanted to run a marathon in Ireland, and I’m delighted about the way it turned out for me," Treacy said with satisfaction. After a career that spanned world cross-country titles, Olympic medals, and countless victories, his final marathon was a fitting conclusion. However, this would not be Treacy’s final race. In 1995, two years after his triumphant Dublin Marathon run, a special road race was organised in his honour in Waterford City. It was attended by 1984 Olympic marathon champion Carlos Lopes and bronze medalist Charlie Spedding, which really speaks the deep respect he commands in both Irish athletics and work athletics.
As Ireland moved forward into a new era of prosperity and optimism, John Treacy’s victory in Dublin was a symbolic passing of the torch to the next generation of Irish athletes who would continue to make their mark on the world stage.
Image: Adapted from original image printed in the Irish Press on October 26th, 1993