The future’s Whyte

ENNIS’ record-breaking ultra marathon runner Keith Whyte is set to have, not one, but two races named after him in West Cork. Plans are also underway to create Ireland’s first world championship-recognised 100km course, to also be named in honour of Keith. There are even plans to erect a plaque in Cork to recognise his sporting achievements.

“I’m delighted about this, it’s just unbelievable, I wasn’t expecting it at all,” he told The Clare Champion.

The honours come after Keith impressed the organisers of Waterfront Ultra Marathon in Courtmacsherry in West Cork. From next year that race will be known as The Keith Whyte Waterfront Ultra Marathon, with plans to hold the event every year.

Organisers are also making arrangements to hold a 100km road race next March, named after Keith, while the course itself will also bear his name. Hopes are high that Keith will be able to beat his current Irish record of 7.03:53 on the course created in his honour.

Keith won last weekend’s inaugural Waterfront Ultra Marathon of over 36 miles in a time of four hours and three seconds, comfortably beating the second place competitor by 37 minutes.

One of the organisers of the race, Bob Hilliard, explained they want to showcase and support Keith’s talent, saying the athlete is “a jewel in our crown”.

“We want to highlight and support Keith in his quest to be the number one in the world. We have no doubt he will make the grade with the right help and support. We, the Waterfront crew, intend to do all we can to help Keith in his quest. We have a natural running talent in this young man that only comes along once in a lifetime and we intend not to miss this moment,” he said.

Bob recalled how he first came to know, and be impressed by, Keith.

“We also organise the Clonakilty Waterfront Ultra Marathon and Keith came down and won it in style in 2011. I just found him to be a very humbling and gentle character.

“I ran into him in March in Tralee and we got chatting and I found out he was a working man with kids, fitting tyres six days a week, while also representing Ireland.

“His pedigree is just phenomenal. He has a unique talent, representing us in the world championships, breaking the Irish record, coming second in the European championship. He should be supported. I want to promote that man in every shape and possible form that we can,” he said.

Bob explained how they decided to stage the ultra marathon in Courtmacsherry in support of Keith. After the race, they approached the runner with the idea of naming it after him from next year.

“He won over everybody here in Courtmacsherry, the runners, walkers, the supporting crowds. He won over the entire village.

“We were honoured to get the opportunity to name a race after him, I’m actually lost that nobody in this country has named a race after him yet. I think the man deserves it, I am just blown away with him. We’ve a jewel in him, he’s got a massive personality, he’s very humble, he’s down to earth, he’s a decent guy and a phenomenal runner.

“We’re on a win-win with him if we just get our hand in our pocket and do a bit to support him.”
As well as the Waterfront race, Bob and his fellow organisers Mark, Sharon and Ia Hilliard, are putting plans in motion for a 100km road race in West Cork.

“I asked him after the race in Courtmacsherry what his strength is and he said it was the 100km. I didn’t realise we don’t have a 100km race in the country. Apparently Portumna isn’t a recognised world championship course. I told him we will organise one in March. My brother will mark out the course and we will be applying to the Athletics Association of Ireland to get it sanctioned. It will be called the Keith Whyte 100km course and we believe he will break the seven hours on his own course if we promote him right, support him and fund him as best we can.”

Keith will be back in Cork in the next few months to take part in a director’s run, organised by the Waterfront team, when the planned plaque is expected to be unveiled.

“I want to put up a plaque with his name on it at the finish line so that in 10 or 15 years time, it will be encouraging to other runners who will say he’s the man who started this and broke world records,” said Bob.
The honours are just part of what has been a great year for Keith. Earlier this year he broke the Irish record in Belgium and he is hopeful that he will participate in this year’s world championships in South Africa.

“I’ve got the A standard now for the world championships for the 100km in October. I am the only Irish athlete with the A standard so if they are sending a team from Ireland, I am hoping I will be a part of it,” Keith concluded.