Ciara Mageean

COMMONWEALTH 1500M CONTENDER LOOKS BACK ON HER MINI LONDON MARATHONS

- Ryan Goad

THE Virgin Money Giving Mini London Marathon is one of the most prestigious youth events in the country and has seen some of the cream of British athletes come through the system and then go on to make their mark on the world stage.

This year is the 10th year the Mini Marathon has been the British Championships for under-13, under-15 and under-17 athletes and held over the three mile distance.

In the run-up to this year’s Virgin Money London Marathon on April 22, we will be looking at some of the athletes from across the United Kingdom & Northern Ireland who have come through the ranks of the Mini Marathon to make it on the global stage.

CIARA MAGEEAN, NORTHERN IRELAND

2009, 1st under-17 women’s race;

2007, 20th under-15 girls race;

2006, 25th under-15 girls race

CIARA MAGEEAN knew she was a talented athlete but until the year 2009 she didn’t know quite how good she could be.

Mageean, from County Down, Northern Ireland, began that year juggling her running with playing the popular Gaelic sport camogie, the female equivalent of hurling.

But by the time the Noughties ended 12 months later, Mageean was in no doubt that running was her future following a phenomenal 12 months which was kickstarted by winning the 2009 under-17 women’s Virgin Money Giving Mini London Marathon.

From that victory in April, Mageean – then aged 16 – went on to win a silver medal in the 800m at the World Youth Championships in Italy, a gold medal at the European Youth Olympics and numerous Irish titles on the track.