Everard is a 4-minute Mile marvel!
First local athlete to break magical barrier; “Even if you’re not into athletics people know that if you can run a Mile in less than four minutes then it’s an achievement.”
By Trevor Spillane, Kilkenny People
The most magical of all athletics goals has finally been achieved by a Kilkennyman.
Eoin Everard wrote his name into the record books when he became the first local athlete to break the four-minute Mile barrier.
“It’s a magical number - the four-minute Mile,” he said. “Even if you’re not into athletics people know that if you can run a Mile in less than four minutes then it’s an achievement.”
The Kilken
ny City Harriers athlete achieved his incredible feat when he completed the Morton Mile event at the Morton Games in Santry last Wednesday.
“It’s not an event which is run that often these days, but I was lucky enough to get into that international field,” he said. “I decided that I was just going to grab the chance with both hands.”
Keeping a solid pace, Everard completed the four laps of the track in 3:58.93 - the first Kilkennyman to do so.
“There were plenty of guys there to push on the pace,” Everard recalled. “It was a case of staying with them, getting involved with the race and forgetting about the time - just run as quick as you can.
“When I crossed the line I looked up towards where my parents were sitting - I was searching for the thumbs up or thumbs down,” he said.
“Thankfully they gave me the thumbs up. After that, the official time came through (3.58.93) so I knew then for sure I’d broken the four minute Mile. I’m absolutely delighted.
“To become the first Kilkennyman to do is incredible,” he added.
“Considering the county has had so many really good athletes over the years, it’s a big honour to be the first.”
Beating that four-minute Mile barrier was a long-term aim for Everard, who came close to it last year.
“I ran four minutes flat last year,” he recalled. “It was a great time, but a frustrating one too. In one sense you’re happy at running such a time, but on the other hand you’re thinking ‘God, what if I was just that little bit quicker?’. I remember going back to a friend’s house that night and people were saying ‘well done but unlucky’.
Naturally, it was a different story this time around...
“That was the feeling then,” he smiled. “This time, when I saw people after I’d finished the Mile, there was a massive cheer.”
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