Runner toms in seventh heaven
To win one national title in a year would be a dream come true for most runners, but Robinstown native Tom McCormack is no ordinary athlete.
Since April, the Tennessee-based retired firefighter has won an astounding seven different American seniors titles, breaking two national records in the process.
Tom’s year to remember began in April when he won the USA masters 10k road title in his 60-64 age group. He followed that in July with a brace of victories at the National Masters Outdoor Track Championships at 5,000m and 10,000m. His hot run continued in August when won his age group at the US Masters 1 Mile Road Championship in a highly impressive 5.03mins.
In October, he broke a 28-year-old national record while winning the 5k title at the US senior road championships in Syracuse New York. His winning time of 16.58 knocked two seconds off the previous record, set by Jim O’Neill in 1986.
On November 8, Tom, who left Mullingar in the early ’70s on an athletic scholarship to East Tennessee University, racked up national title number six when he won the National Masters 5k cross country. Eight days later he broke his second national record in a month on his way to victory in the National Masters 12k Road Championships in Virginia, with a time of 42.55mins, knocking nine seconds off the record he set in the race last year.
Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner on the phone from his home in Johnstown City, the father of two, who first made his mark in the extremely competitive US Masters circuit by winning last year’s 5k Cross Country Championships, revealed what makes his current rich vein of form so satisfying.
“I came out to America in 1973 and my college experience was horrible. I went from running 40 to 45 miles a week as one of the top junior runners in Ireland and was running 120 miles a week in college. I got injured and never ran to my ability. When I graduated I was totally burned out and didn’t run at all for four years. Then I ran on and off, two or three days a week but nothing serious. When I retired in 2013 I wanted to see if I really had it when I was young.
“I have fallen back in love with running. I always loved running in Ireland and then I came to the States. Everyone thinks getting a scholarship is a dream, and it is, but my experience wasn’t good.
“We had to run too many miles and it wasn’t good for my body.”
Tom hopes to return to Ireland with his wife Teresa next year to compete in the Masters Track and Field Championships.
After failing to fulfil his potential as a young man, this proud Westmeath man is enjoying his athletic renaissance. “At my age I am extremely happy running as fast as I am,” he said.