Posted online: Dec 3rd, 2008

When Inver man Conor McLaughlin began his training for the Polar Circle Half Marathon back in May, nothing could have prepared him for what lay in store when he eventually landed in Greenland.
Minus 15 degrees, trudging through snow beads 75cm thick has its own way of letting you know you’re not in Kansas anymore- the hills of Donegal had nothing on the new landscape he would call home for the next few weeks.
Now safely back in the more comfortable winter surroundings here in the northwest, Conor explains to the Donegal Post exactly what the October 18th odyssey demanded, in a true test of physical and mental endurance.
“I wanted to do a race which would capture people’s attention in order to raise much needed funds for the Irish cancer society,” Conor explains.
“I decided to do the Polar Circle half marathon in Greenland as it seemed to be well run and affordable. I started training in May doing a lot of work on the Beach and on soft sand to replicate the underfoot conditions that you associate with snow. I did a lot of long distance swimming as well to prepare for the exposure to the cold.”
A late developer in the world of athletics McLaughlin’s previous sporting endeavors were confined only to soccer and GAA, but teaching English as he travelled the world meant McLaughlin turned to cross country skiing and running to keep in shape.
Though this new challenge meant that McLaughlin would have to prepare vigorously prior to departure, and try as much as he possibly could to replicate the conditions that awaited him when he touched down in the unforgiving terrene of Greenland. In any test of physical endurance getting oxygen into the lungs is vital, but when its burns from the throat down, you soon realise you are in new territory.
“Thankfully the race day conditions were perfect and I was fortunate enough to get a good start on fellow competitors. The first 5km was extremely difficult because we were quite high up on the ice cap and temperatures were down to minus 15. The ice cap involved a few hills and snow up to 75 cm thick which was hard to run through.
“Once we were off the ice cap the race began to feel like any other run. There were a few points along the way I thought I would have to stop because of the cold air hitting the back of my throat was tough to cope with, but things worked out well.
“I didn’t actually realise I had won when I crossed the line. It was amazing to think I was the first Irish person to win the race crossing the line at a time of 1.49, but you have to consider the conditions, which slow you up a lot- It was a tough tough race.”
Conor would like to take this opportunity to thank all the sponsors and donators in the locality that helped facilitate this wonderful achievement.

Reporter: Frank Craig