O'Sullivan: I'm not targeting Beijing

7:46am Friday 2nd May 2008

East Molesey-based Sonia O'Sullivan says her appearance in the Boston Marathon is not a stepping stone towards competing in Beijing this summer.

The 38-year-old Irish Olympic runner was 20th woman in Boston, clocking two hours 52 minutes 20 seconds.

But she insisted: "I am definitely finished with standing on elite women start lines.

"I am not planning to chase an Olympic qualifying mark."

O'Sullivan's time was about 10 minutes slower than she managed in New York in 2006.

She was well inside her halfway time in 1:18.36, but slowed considerably over the second half of the course.

She achieved her goal of running inside three hours, with bookies Paddy Power donating 1,000 Euros to Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind for each minute she finished inside her target.

O'Sullivan spent winter training in Australia with a group led by her partner Nic Bideau, which includes Commonwealth 5,000m silver medallist Craig Mottram and former world cross country champion Benita Johnson.

"When I first started back training this year, my goal was to be fit enough to keep up with the athletes on their easy runs and long runs," said O'Sullivan.

"I surpassed this and so had to set another goal, which was the Boston marathon, the oldest marathon in the world.

"After Boston, I hope to take part in lots of local events with my club, Thames Hare & Hounds.

"I will also spend time with Craig, Benita and others from our training group, as they prepare for the Olympics."

O'Sullivan, who holds dual nationality, was Australia's women's team manager for the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Edinburgh, leading them to bronze team medals.

"It was a wonderful experience and the most excited I have been to see other runners run well and win a prize," said O'Sullivan.

"From the minute I was asked to manage the team, I started thinking how we could get a medal.

"I always believed it was possible, but it is never easy to get all the girls to run well on the one day in the same race.

"I think I provided a relaxed feeling in the team and the girls knew I believed in their ability."

O'Sullivan would like to take on a similar role for Ireland in the future.

"I have been asked to be endurance coach for the Irish team, but I can't accept as the time commitment is too much," she said.

"Nic is already planning to be away for a long time in the build up to the Olympics and during the event. But I will always help out and pass on advice when asked."

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