Waterford AC athlete David McGlynn says he is ready to represent Ireland at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham this Sunday morning.

McGlynn will line up in the marathon at 8.10 am Irish time, with the race covering the full 42-kilometre distance.

The Waterford man has put together an intensive preparation programme, completing a 10- to 12-week marathon block that saw his weekly mileage increase from around 160 kilometres to a peak of 210 kilometres.

He also spent four weeks training at altitude in Font-Romeu in the Pyrenees, around 1,800 metres above sea level, before returning to sea level two weeks ago.

McGlynn says his body has responded well to the training and he is now looking forward to Sunday’s challenge.

Rather than targeting a specific finishing time or podium position, he plans to manage his effort and gradually work his way through the field in the second half of the race.

He successfully employed a similar strategy at last year’s Dublin Marathon, staying patient through the early stages before making significant progress over the final 10 to 15 kilometres.

The Birmingham course is expected to provide an additional challenge, with McGlynn describing it as a tough route featuring several steep hills.

He has been preparing for those conditions with plenty of hill running in Waterford, including sessions around Ballygunner and the RSC, as well as the demanding terrain during his altitude camp.

For McGlynn, however, Sunday’s race is about more than just performance. He says representing Ireland is a huge honour, particularly for his family, friends and Waterford AC, who will be proud to see one of their athletes compete on the international stage.

With family and friends travelling to Birmingham to support him, McGlynn is now focused on keeping his mind clear, staying patient and producing his best running when it matters most.

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