Power can keep the run going

Athletics: On this weekend in 1995 a new name emerged at the top of Irish cross-country running. Séamus Power, then aged 24 and having just completed a scholarship at East Tennessee University, won the National Intercounties title. It's as hard as any distance race to win in Ireland and proved Power was the best around.

On this weekend every year since, Power has successfully defended that title. Each year a different course and different conditions. Numerous opponents offering their own varied challenges. But the same result. Power was still the best cross-country runner in Ireland.

So on Sunday in Mullingar, over yet another distinct course around Belvedere House, Power's remarkable story continues. Another victory would give the Clare athlete his ninth consecutive title and extend further the greatest winning streak in the history of Irish distance running.

"Well I was very happy last year to win the eighth," says Power, who turns 33 today. "But now I won't be happy until I win the ninth. Every year you sort of forget the challenge of the previous year. And I still get really fired up to win."

Each of his eight titles to date has been memorable for its own reasons. Yet the first - at Killenaule in Tipperary - will always stand out; Power upset the favourite, David Burke, then reigning Interclubs champion.

"I just remember sitting in behind David for most of the race. He was running so well at that time. And then I kicked ahead up the big hill at the home straight. I was delighted to win that one. And of course you never imagine winning eight of them.

"But I still have exactly the same hunger to win another one. And I don't expect it to be any tougher or easier on Sunday than any other year. I've had some very close shaves over the eight years - and some easy victories. So you don't know what's going to happen on Sunday."

Putting together eight consecutive national titles in any sport is difficult. In cross-country running it means beating the best of the rest no matter what the course or the conditions, and peaking at the same time every year in a sport where form can always suffer because of injury or the demands of previous seasons.

"Fortunately I always seem to be running well this time of the year. And coming off the track season the early part the cross-country season has always gone well for me.

"And I suppose I've been lucky too in that I've always been healthy at this time of the year and have always hit good form. Things have definitely picked up in training again over the past month. And I was very happy with my last two races, especially in Birmingham. So I'm as confident as I could be. But I'm not writing off anyone else in the race. The day you do that you're not up to the challenge.

"I know someone is going to beat me sometime. It could be Sunday or next year or the year after. But I'll be waiting for them. And before I'd be a bit shy talking about it, thinking it would put pressure on me. But nowadays I sort of thrive on the talk of it. Probably because I've been there so many times before. I'm confident I'm going to run a good race and if I do that I won't be far off. And I'll come away happy."

Power still spends most of the year based in his native Clare, working part time around his training. He has had opportunities to move away and train full time but it's around Clare he gets the most encouragement and support.

"There are still a lot of financial sacrifices. And I'm still looking forward to the day when I get a pay cheque every Friday. But I'm blessed living in a rural area because I get a lot of local support. And even when I'm in Dublin. I mean people come up to me and just make a donation towards my training, just because they admire the way I run. And to be honest that's what helps me survive."

On Sunday, old rivals like Peter Mathews and Vinnie Mulvey, and new ones like Rob Connolly and Mark Kenneally, will provide the challenge to Power's winning sequence. But they're going to have to produce something great to end it.