Yesterday's News: Little guy in the black shorts

Well, there’s nothing very special about him, is there? He’s certainly the smallest guy on our team (Coláiste Chríost Rí) that day: in fact, he was probably the smallest runner in the field.

Shortly after leaving school Marcus took a notion that he might try his luck in the collegiate athletic scene in America and followed the path, well-trodden by Irish athletes, Ronnie Delaney, Eamonn Coughlan, Sonia O’Sullivan and many others, to Villanova University in Pennsylvania, USA.
Four time Olympian for Ireland in 1984, ’88, ’92 & ‘96
Three time World Indoor 1500m Champion: 1987 (Indianapolis), ’89 (Budapest) & ’93 (Toronto)
Five time winner of the famous Wanamaker Mile in Madison Square Garden’s Millrose Games: 1986, ’88, ’89, ’90, & ‘92
One of only three athletes ever to run over 100 sub 4-minute miles. (The others are Steve Scott (USA) & John Walker (New Zealand).
Holds the still-standing world record for the 4xmile relay with Irish runners Ray Flynn, Eamonn Coughlan and Frank O’Mara. (In Dublin in 1985. Time: 15:49.08)

After all, Marcus was from just down the road in Turner’s Cross, yet here he was now among us again, a World Champion!