Marathon Runner – Gladys Ganiel

For those of you who have asked:

Yes, I am also the marathon runner

On 27 October 2019, I ran 2.36.42 in the Dublin Marathon, a personal best at age 42.

On 12 August 2018, I ran 2.42.42 on a warm and sunny day to finish 33rd at the European Marathon Championships in Berlin, helping Team Ireland finish 8th.

On 24 September 2017, I ran 2.37.55 in the Berlin Marathon, a personal best at age 40.

On 27 July 2014, I ran the Marathon for Northern Ireland at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. I placed 12th in 2.40.29, in what was then my second fastest time ever.

On 1 May 2022, I won the Belfast City Marathon outright.

On 3 April 2022, I set an Irish National V45 age-group record of 2.41.44 at the Manchester Marathon.

I was born in Maine, USA, but now have both Irish and British citizenship and I am proud to run for Northern Ireland. I have received tremendous support from North Belfast Harriers, Athletics Northern Ireland, Sports Institute Northern Ireland, the Marathon Mission, Belfast City Council, and the local running community.

I ran collegiately at Providence College, USA (1995-1999), and was a member of the 1995 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Championship Cross Country Team. I won the 1999 Walter Byers Award for the top female student-athlete in the NCAA.

Running Biography: Gladys Ganiel

Power of Ten Profile

Nation: Northern Ireland/Ireland

Club: North Belfast Harriers

Thanks to:

Coach: Matt Shields, North Belfast Harriers

Click here to read a marathon Q&A with Matt (2011)

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‘The Guru’, Ray Treacy, my coach at Providence, who continues to answer all my questions after many years!

My training is supported by physio Ross Harris, training partners Marty Rea and Ed Cooke, S&C Coach Jordan O’Neill (Benchmark Fitness) and Leo Neenan at Optimal Biomechanics.

For the Commonwealth Games, I benefited from the support team at the Sports Institute Northern Ireland, especially my strength and conditioning coach Paul Talty and physio Chris McNicholl; as well as Athletics NI massage therapist Kyle Alexander.

Personal Bests

Marathon: 2.36.42 (Dublin, 2019)

Half Marathon: 75.08 (Dublin Rock n’ Roll, 2013)

10k Road: 34.42 (Swords 10k, Dublin, 2013)

Select Championship Medals:

Northern Ireland Cross Country Gold: 2010, 2011, 2013

Northern Ireland Cross Country Silver: 2009, 2014

Northern Ireland Half Marathon Gold: 2014, 2017

Northern Ireland Marathon Gold: 2019, 2022

Northern Ireland Marathon Silver: 2021

Ireland Marathon Bronze: 2011, 2019, 2021, 2022

Ireland Half Marathon Gold: 2007, 2017