‘What a run to be a part of.’
The Berlin Marathon took place on Sunday and saw the indomitable Eliud Kipchoge sheer a chunk of time off his world record. It also saw 55-year-old John Casey from Cork clock a better time than World Cup and Ballon d’Or winner, Kaka.
Kipchoge crossed the line, in Berlin, at a scarcely believable time of 2.01.09, shattering the record he had set along the same route in 2018.
The marathon also featured a host of Irish athletes, across various levels and categories. John Casey was racing in the vest of Togher Athletics Club and he did both himself and the Cork club proud.
Casey finished the race just ahead of Kaka, but because he started further down the field from the Brazilian, and his chip did not activate until he crossed the start line, his finishing time was over seven minutes better.
#kaka The Brazilian
Footballer who won the World Cup, Champions League and Ballon d'Or been out paced by John Casey 55 years old from @TogherAC at the Berlin Marathon Yesterday@bmwberlinrun #BerlinLegend #BerlinMarathon pic.twitter.com/DpHrLBzSQh— Sharon Murray (@SharonAherne) September 26, 2022
Sharon Murray, who shared the snap above, was there supporting another Cork runner that clocked better than Kaka. Tony Murray, her husband, was running in the Midleton AC colours and came home in a time of 3:37.25.
Kaka was running in his first ever marathon and clocked an impressive 3:38.06 in completing the route.
The 40-year-old, who played with distinction for Real Madrid and AC Milan, was happy out at getting over the line and getting a medal to chew on:
Amazing, Berlin!!! What a great atmosphere during the all 42KM. Very proud of becoming a #BerlinLegend.
A big thank you to all the runners, the fans, and my partners @adidasrunning @adidasbrasil @berlinmarathon @reismpr pic.twitter.com/K3xaAUeXZo
— Kaka (@KAKA) September 26, 2022
The Brazilian is done as a 3.38.06 for his marathon. That fine time was bested by John Casey, though, as he finished the route in 3:30.29 and stood proud in the 55+ category.
Togher AC celebrated all of their members’ marathon efforts, and had some words of praise for John Casey. They declared:
‘Massive congratulations to Togher ACs John Casey who knocked it out of the park in today’s Berlin Marathon in 3.30.29. What a run to be a part of, where a new marathon world record was set!
‘John has sent his thanks to all in Togher AC who brought him to the line, but it was only yourself that got you over it John. Special thanks to senior coaches Aidan Hartnett and Tony Kelleher for the training plan and Ray O’ Connell for the fuelling strategy, which worked a treat! John’s personal highlight today was crossing the line with Kaka (Brazilian footballer). We’ve looked up Kaka’s result John and he finished in 3.38, so we think that means you are pretty much AC Milan athlete standard!’
https://www.facebook.com/togher.ac/posts/pfbid0eNd8M2hNb1dmmn8Mpz8jygETRray1dHgkWtpyE8mS2kWpsFw56nsDDXsT2rCYw8El
Kaka was running to celebrate his father’s Covid recovery
The Berlin Marathon was a moment of celebration for Kaka and his family, after a taut time during the worst of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The retired footballer was taking part in the event with his father and brother. Kaka explained, before the marathon, that his father had spent 45 days in hospital as he battled with Covid.
“He’s not going to run, he’s just walking, but we wanted him in this experience with us – it’s more of a family experience,” he said.
“I’m very excited, of course, it’s completely different than those [professionals]… As an amateur athlete, I can run and be in the same field as the professionals.
“This is something really special in marathons – afterwards I can say that the best one in the marathon ran this time, and at the same time I was running with him.”
The 2007 Ballon d’Or winner had set a target of 3:40.00 to complete the 42.2 kilometre route.
He ended up doing that, with almost two minutes to spare. He’s still no John Casey of Togher AC, though.
RELATED ARTICLES
![Roy Keane delighted after finally answering question about Ireland legend in quiz](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/07/roy-keane-ireland.png?height=225&width=450&cropped)
![Roy Keane delighted after finally answering question about Ireland legend in quiz](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/07/roy-keane-ireland.png?height=116&width=116&cropped)
![James McClean involved in scuffle with Chelsea player during Wrexham friendly](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/07/James-Mc-Clean.png?height=225&width=450&cropped)
![James McClean involved in scuffle with Chelsea player during Wrexham friendly](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/07/James-Mc-Clean.png?height=116&width=116&cropped)
![Damien Duff ‘disgusted’ by Shels players after FAI Cup win](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/07/damien-duff-shelbourne.png?height=225&width=450&cropped)
![Damien Duff ‘disgusted’ by Shels players after FAI Cup win](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/07/damien-duff-shelbourne.png?height=116&width=116&cropped)
MORE FROM Sports Joe
![When are Irish athletes competing at the Olympics? Event details, times and more](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/07/ire.png?height=225&width=450&cropped)
![When are Irish athletes competing at the Olympics? Event details, times and more](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/07/ire.png?height=116&width=116&cropped)
![The 2024 Paris Olympics: Follow all the major action and talking points](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/07/Website-Image-Full-Bleed-1-1.png?height=225&width=450&cropped)
![The 2024 Paris Olympics: Follow all the major action and talking points](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/07/Website-Image-Full-Bleed-1-1.png?height=116&width=116&cropped)
![Olympic hockey player amputates finger to play at games](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/07/matt-dawson.png?height=225&width=450&cropped)
![Olympic hockey player amputates finger to play at games](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/07/matt-dawson.png?height=116&width=116&cropped)
![Transgender swimmer Lia Thomas will not compete at Olympics after legal battle dismissed](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/06/lia-thomas-1.jpg?height=225&width=450&cropped)
![Transgender swimmer Lia Thomas will not compete at Olympics after legal battle dismissed](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/06/lia-thomas-1.jpg?height=116&width=116&cropped)
![Two Irish stars to feature in tonight’s women’s 10,000m European Athletics Championships final](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/06/thompson.png?height=225&width=450&cropped)
![Two Irish stars to feature in tonight’s women’s 10,000m European Athletics Championships final](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/06/thompson.png?height=116&width=116&cropped)
![Athletics round-up: Ciara Mageean wins European gold](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/06/Maggee.png?height=225&width=450&cropped)
![Athletics round-up: Ciara Mageean wins European gold](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/06/Maggee.png?height=116&width=116&cropped)
![“It means a lot to me” – Rob Edwards story shows the true class of Jurgen Klopp](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/07/edwardsklopp.png?height=225&width=450&cropped)
![“It means a lot to me” – Rob Edwards story shows the true class of Jurgen Klopp](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/07/edwardsklopp.png?height=116&width=116&cropped)
![When are Irish athletes competing at the Olympics? Event details, times and more](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/07/ire.png?height=225&width=450&cropped)
![When are Irish athletes competing at the Olympics? Event details, times and more](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/07/ire.png?height=116&width=116&cropped)
![Opinion: Hugo Keenan endured a difficult year but will always be an Olympian](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/07/keenan.png?height=225&width=450&cropped)
![Opinion: Hugo Keenan endured a difficult year but will always be an Olympian](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/07/keenan.png?height=116&width=116&cropped)
![The SportsJOE Friday Pub Quiz: Week 81](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/07/Copy-of-Quiz-Feature-Image-17.png?height=225&width=450&cropped)
![The SportsJOE Friday Pub Quiz: Week 81](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/07/Copy-of-Quiz-Feature-Image-17.png?height=116&width=116&cropped)
![“I love nights like this” – Damien Duff gives surprise reaction after Shelbourne lose 3-0 to FC Zürich](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/07/duffman.png?height=225&width=450&cropped)
![“I love nights like this” – Damien Duff gives surprise reaction after Shelbourne lose 3-0 to FC Zürich](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/07/duffman.png?height=116&width=116&cropped)
![Graeme Souness slams Man United star for ‘throwing in the towel’](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/07/Untitled-design-2024-07-25T145951.362.png?height=225&width=450&cropped)
![Graeme Souness slams Man United star for ‘throwing in the towel’](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/07/Untitled-design-2024-07-25T145951.362.png?height=116&width=116&cropped)
MORE FROM Sports Joe
![Politicians criticise ‘thugs’ after sectarian graffiti appears ahead of All-Ireland final](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/07/armagh-sectarianism.png?height=225&width=450&cropped)
![Politicians criticise ‘thugs’ after sectarian graffiti appears ahead of All-Ireland final](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/07/armagh-sectarianism.png?height=116&width=116&cropped)
![Orange Order want to hold Armagh parade in Nationalist area during All-Ireland Final](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/07/armagh-orangemen.png?height=225&width=450&cropped)
![Orange Order want to hold Armagh parade in Nationalist area during All-Ireland Final](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/07/armagh-orangemen.png?height=116&width=116&cropped)
![Quiz: Name every county to have won an All-Ireland football final](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/07/gaa-final.png?height=225&width=450&cropped)
![Quiz: Name every county to have won an All-Ireland football final](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/07/gaa-final.png?height=116&width=116&cropped)
![‘He told me no.’ – GAA legend reveals he asked Roy Keane for a selfie at hurling final](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/07/roy-keane-1.png?height=225&width=450&cropped)
![‘He told me no.’ – GAA legend reveals he asked Roy Keane for a selfie at hurling final](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/07/roy-keane-1.png?height=116&width=116&cropped)
![Snoop Dogg to carry Olympic torch ahead of opening ceremony](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/07/snoop-dogg.jpg?height=225&width=450&cropped)
![Snoop Dogg to carry Olympic torch ahead of opening ceremony](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/07/snoop-dogg.jpg?height=116&width=116&cropped)
![Premier League club bid for in-demand Ireland star Sammie Szmodics](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/07/sammie-szmodics.png?height=225&width=450&cropped)
![Premier League club bid for in-demand Ireland star Sammie Szmodics](https://d1ur8kxvk6cuvz.cloudfront.net/uploads/2024/07/sammie-szmodics.png?height=116&width=116&cropped)