AN INTREPID athlete from Greenock Glenpark Harriers has become the first ever member of the club to complete all six ‘majors’ of the World Marathon.
The 2024 New York Marathon, on November 3, completed Oliver Reilly’s six-star journey, which had already seen him cross the finish line in the blue and yellow colors of the Harriers in London, Boston, Chicago, Berlin and Tokyo.
He set off from London in October 2021, a race delayed by Covid, in a time of two hours, 48 minutes and 40 seconds.
Oliver completed the New York marathon in three hours and three minutes (Image: contributed) Then come Boston and Chicago the following year, Berlin in 2023 and this year Tokyo and “the Big Apple”.
And it all started thanks to the luck of the draw after Oliver was rejected for a place in the 2021 London race – only for his name to be drawn from a hat for the only place available to Greenock members Glenpark Harriers.
A Harriers spokesperson said: “Oliver’s name was taken out of the hat at the end of 2020, and that’s when a journey began that will see him set his sights on all six of the world’s major marathon tournaments.
“Anyone who has observed Oliver’s dedication since that time will see that habits are indeed a powerful factor and breed opportunities for excellence.
The New York race was the last of Oliver Reilly’s six “majors”. (Image: contributed) Oliver’s 2.48 in London was a huge record at the time and allowed him to qualify for Boston the following year. He confirmed his London course with a 2.51 in Boston, on a much more demanding course, then set his sights on Chicago the same year.
“A time of 2.44 was a true testament to his progress and solidified his ambition to not only complete all 6, but perhaps also surpass the three hour mark for each!
“2023 saw Oliver try his luck again in London, where he ran 2.50 as a warm-up for the big event in Berlin later in the year. Another PB followed in Berlin with 2.42, and there were only two left!
“The latter two may be the most difficult to secure entry, so no risks were taken, and Oliver invested in the Sports Tours package for both.
The 2024 New York Marathon took place on November 3. (Image: contributed) “First there was Tokyo in March 2024, a phenomenal experience supported by an incredible PB of 2.40.14. Oliver, dressed in a kimono, returned home a hero, knowing he was now one step away from completing the journey. The Big Apple expected at the end of 2024.
“What could possibly go wrong?” Well, running isn’t as easy as Oliver made it out to be for the past four years. Some say it never goes as planned, and others only from time to time. The fall of 2024 was expected to be Oliver’s stumbling block, as an injury ravaged his training in the final six weeks before his transatlantic trip.
“Just before that he ran a 5k PB of 16.41 and finished third in the Harriers 4k club race.
“The form was there, but the body doesn’t always play ball. However, the trip was booked, the ankle was strapped, and Oliver headed to the United States after four weeks of virtually no racing.
Oliver battled through injury to finish the race in New York. (Image: contributed) “The ‘sub 3’ ambition for all six marathons was still in the back of his mind, and from the gun in Staten Island, Oliver crossed the Narrows Bridge and entered Brooklyn at the fastest pace. He hit halfway around 1.26, a good time in the bank at this point. The route leaves Brooklyn and crosses the Queensboro Bridge and heads into Manhattan, heading north to a quick loop in the Bronx.
The route then heads south on Fifth Avenue and into Central Park for the finale. It was on this stretch that the difficult kilometers began, and Oliver’s goal had to change to simply cross the finish line unscathed.
“Oliver finished in an incredible time of 3.06.36, and considering the preparation and injuries, this could be considered his toughest effort of the lot.
“The six-star medal awaited him at the end. The first Greenock Glenpark Harrier to achieve this and one of fewer than 20,000 worldwide to do so. A phenomenal achievement.
Oliver joins an elite club of fewer than 20,000 people who have run the London, Chicago, Boston, Berlin, Tokyo and New York marathons. (Image: contributed) “You might wonder what’s next for Oliver when you’ve spent so much time, effort and money to get all six stars? Well, an hour after crossing the finish line, number 7 of the major marathon has been announced….Looks like Oliver will have to make it down to continue the journey to Sydney!
“However, with rumors of this being the first step towards nine majors, it may be time to take a break. Or maybe it’s time to prepare for Manchester 2025!