Gerry (or Ger) Mullane, so well-known in athletic circles

throughout Limerick, Munster and indeed the country, sadly passed

away in August 2007 at the age of fifty two. Gerry died doing

what he loved...running. He lived for his sport and always gave

it one hundred percent.

It would be impossible to list and do full justice to all of

Gerry's achievements and awards over the years, but I will

attempt to give you an idea of the commitment, dedication and

success that he had running over the last 25 years.

It would have to be said that his best event was the marathon.

Now anyone who has ran a marathon will understand the training

and dedication that goes into preparing for such an event.

Gerry started running in 1981 at the age of 26. He ran his first

marathon in 1981 in 3:49. Eight months later in June of 1982 he

ran his second marathon in 2:42, in the National Championships in

Limerick taking over an hour off his previous time. It was a

distance he was perfectly suited to due to his very light frame.

He joined his first club, Dublin City Harriers, in 1982 and ran

track, cross country and road races in their colours for four

years. Thereafter, he spent a short time with Reenavanna

Harriers in Doon, and then joined Limerick AC. With them he had

some of his greatest success, running seven marathons under 2:30.

His best being 2:25, which he achieved on two occasions, once in

the London Marathon 1989 and again in the National Championships

in Clonmel in 1990, where he finished 6th overall.

That year Gerry's was ranked in the top-twenty best marathon

times in Ireland. His best finish in the Dublin City Marathon

was 13th in 1990. He was a member on the winning team that year;

they took second in 1991. He ran the Budapest Marathon for

Revenue on several occasions and was first Irish man home on a

number of occasions - best time 2:37.

Gerry also won numerous other senior and masters individual and

team medals at the cross country, road and track at county,

province and national level.

Gerry began competing in the masters category (over 40) in 1995

and ran internationally for Ireland in the Hague, the Netherlands

finishing 14th in the 10k European Road Race Championships.

He joined Bilboa AC in 2003 and was always on our scoring team.

With Gerry, we won our first ever County (Limerick) Senior Cross

Country title. In the 2003 Dublin City Marathon and National

Championships, we got third senior team. Cross country was never

his favourite event but he always made himself available for the

team. Gerry won the very first Bilboa 10k that was ran in 2001.

His primary PBs were:

10KM - 30:26

10M - 51:10

Half - 1:08:59

Full - 2:25:26

He was an absolute gentleman, had a great sense of humour and a

quick wit. He was loved by all who knew him and will be greatly

missed especially by his wife Mairéad and son Pat, his mother

Phyllis, brothers and sisters. Again we offer our condolences.

He has ran the "race of life" and was not found wanting.

May he rest in peace.

++

Small addendum from James Lundon

I got to know Ger Mullane quite well over the last 6 years, being

from the same part of the world, having seen his name high up in

road race results over many years, but most importantly as a

fellow fan (sufferer!) of the cult otherwise known as the Leeds

United Football Club. Whenever we met, be it Ballycotton, Bilboa

or further afield, the first thing we always spoke about was the

latest disaster to befall our 'beloved', of which over the

noughties, there have been no shortage.

I never got close to Ger on the road but it was always a topic

worthy of special mention whenever a teammate of mine would get

the best of him on the road. As below: if you beat Ger to the

line, you had done quite well.

++

From: http://www.westlimerickac.com/news.html

All club members are still coming to terms with the demise of Ger

Mullane, Bilboa AC. Ger was buried last Wednesday in Cappamore

having fallen ill during the Kildysart race ten days previously.

Ger was a great team man when running with the county and many of

us were glad of his full-blown commitment over the years when

county medals were secured.

It was one of the defining moments for many a young athlete when

they could say they were ‘up there with Ger’ or to finally be

ahead of him. Indeed our own Ger Guinea was picked out for future

success when one day in the Demesne he put Ger Mullane behind

him.

In recent years he has contributed hugely to the veteran ranks.

His genial presence will be missed on the start line and it is

with a heavy heart that some of us will know that our result will

be one place up in races with Ger not around.

Comhbhrón dá chéile agus dá mhac. Braithfimid uainn é.