"All I have to offer you is mud, sweat and tears" Winston Churchill once said and that pretty much sums up what the last 16 weeks have been about for Drogheda and District AC’s hardy band of distance runners who had their hearts set on a big performance at last weekend's Amsterdam Marathon and Half Marathon.

Club coach Eoin McGinn had left nothing to chance as he guided this determined group through the rigours of marathon preparation and now the time had come to put it all together on this flat course winding along the scenic canals before finishing in the Olympic Stadium.

The early morning start was something the D&D athletes were used to, but the rising wind was causing concern as they knuckled down to business following the starter's pistol.

Johnny Breen, strengthened by endless long runs, produced the goods on the day, while giving his watching fans a tense time as he ducked under the magical three hour mark when crossing the line in 2:59:40.

This was solid running by Breen, given a recent bout of illness and he's a good find for the club. Next in was John Reilly in a hard earned 3:04:47, closely followed by Jordi Romera in 3:05:14. The work put in by this pair had paid off in spades.

Paul Kierans put the pain to one side as he covered the course in a lively 3:14:37. Training partners Brian Carrig (3:20:36), and John Cooper (3:20:59) both judged the pace to perfection, running a negative split, which saw them run the second half faster than the first.

Mary Leech, the club’s first female finished tired but happy clocking in at 3:09:18, which placed her fourth in her F45 category. Next home was the ever-dependable Yasmin Canning, who's been described as more reliable than a Volkswagen, and probably dearer to run!

Yasmin used every ounce of her experience to ease her way round the course in an eye opening 3:18:39, placing her fifth in her category. Also running were Stephane Maingard (3:26:44), Rachel McCormack (3:27:37) and Fiona Kenna (3:29:32). Brenda Kirwan also ran well with her 4:13:24 finish.

In the Half Marathon, which took place later in the day, Paddy Murphy had a terrific run on his way to a 1:31:27 finish, which placed him 6th in his category. Also running was Marta Herrera who coped well with the conditions to finish in 1:55:28.

Also running a Half Marathon last weekend, but this time in Palma, Mallorca, were Mike and Marie Staunton. Mike, who's no stranger to this distance ran the course in 2:01:57. Also running was Gillian Farrelly who ran well to finish in 1:49:34. In the 9K event, Gerry Mullins clocked in at 46:23.