Having rediscovered the 'Running Bug' in autumn of 2007, I Joined East London Runners the following summer as I trained for the 2009 London Marathon. I enjoy competitive road running, entering all sorts of events throughout the year. Since 2007 I have competed in races of all distances from 5km to Marathons, and with the support of my fellow East London Runners, I have found my times get continually better year on year! Even though being a slightly more competitive runner, I love how social and friendly East London Runners are, and the fact that the club is open to people of all abilities, no matter what your goal. The Club has been a great source of support to me as I trained for my races, and I have made many new friends throughout the years I have been a member. Joint Club Runner of the Month - April 2018 Ciaran, having overcome recent illness and with little preparation, Ciaran competed in the Boston Marathon on 16th April. After enduring head winds of over 40 MPH and torrential downpours of rain throughout, he finished the race in a time of 3.11.54. Ciaran has produced many outstanding performances during his 10+ years with the club; from marathon distance down to 5k. He is an inspiration to everyone and always happy to give advise to others. Although he admits to being a competitive road runner, Ciaran says he enjoys the social side to East London Runners joining in with the various events and activities. Ciaran has worked tirelessly on the committee for a number of years and holds the role of ELR race volunteer coordinator. I completed the 6 Marathon Majors in Chicago on Sunday 13th October 2019 Completing the Abbott World Marathon Majors So what are the Abbot World Marathon Majors? The World Marathon Majors is a series of the most prestigious and renowned marathons across the globe. Formed in 2006, initially 5 events being Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York, these were joined by Tokyo in 2013 to become the 6 World Marathon Majors. Although a series for the elite, the headline sponsor, Abbott, also applauds and celebrates the achievements of "everyday champions from around the world" through their Six Star System. They now have an online results system where amateur runners can claim a "Star" for each of the geographic Majors they've run. When all Six Stars are achieved, Abbott reward runners for their achievement with a certificate and with the Prestigious 6 Star Finishers medal too. When I ran the London Marathon in 2009, unbeknown to me at the time, I was beginning on my journey of the the Six Marathon Majors, and I spent the next 10 years on this Journey. My 2nd Major was New York in 2013, and Berlin my 3rd in 2014. Thereafter I knew I wanted to complete the series as quickly as I possibly could, but the introduction of Tokyo into the series in 2013 had made this a much more difficult task. Luckily I managed to combine a hop to Tokyo for the marathon weekend as a stopover on return from visiting New Zealand in 2017! Once I had achieved this, I realised that the end game was within my grasp. Just Boston and Chicago to go, which I completed in 2018 and 2019. Ciaran with Majors and Chicago Medals! Now a Six Star finisher, I can look back with fondness on my journey. My Six Star Challenge has taken me on a personal journey, across the globe, from the UK, to the EU, to the US and Japan. With the benefit of hindsight I can see how my journey has been a physical, mental, emotional and financial challenge. It's been tough, yet easy. Demanding and rewarding. It's been painful, yet joyful, thought provoking and memory making. Joining the Abbott World Marathon Majors Six Star Finishers Club goes beyond the physical form of just running 6 marathons, and so this makes joining this Club an ever so special and prestigious accomplishment. Since completing my Sixth Star on Sunday 13th October 2019, the most common question that I have been asked is which Star has been my favourite? Her is my answer. London: Because it was my first, and my hometown. ELR's Water station, and lots of support. New York: Because I ran it for my 40th Birthday, and I then got to spend a couple of days in the Big Apple and the US for the first time. Berlin: Because it is my PB, the (alcohol free) free beer, and the Eurotrash party at the finish line. Tokyo: Because everything is just so polite. Polite bowing and polite clapping and everyone is made to feel like a king. Boston: Because I finished in the face of adversity. The weather was horrendous. Torrential downpours and 45 mph headwinds. Chicago: Because of the drag performers in boys town, and because I'm now a Six Star Finisher! They are all unique, and I have a favourite memory from each. Got the Six Star Marathon Majors big marathon bug? On your own Six Star Finishers Journey? Then check out the Abbott World Marathon Majors website here: www.worldmarathonmajors.com Ciaran's 6 Star medal plus individual medals from the 6 Major Marathons!