{"id":61107,"date":"2025-01-27T15:10:41","date_gmt":"2025-01-27T15:10:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportstoursinternational.co.uk\/?p=61107"},"modified":"2026-03-31T14:07:38","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T14:07:38","slug":"collette-ohagans-1000-marathon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportstoursinternational.ie\/blog\/collette-ohagans-1000-marathon\/","title":{"rendered":"Collette O\u2019Hagan\u2019s 1,000-Marathon Journey"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When it comes to legends in the world of running, Collette O\u2019Hagan, 75, of Dundalk, Ireland, is in a league of her own. Her story is one of perseverance and an unrelenting drive to push boundaries having recently completed her 1,000th marathon \u2013 including all six Abbott World Marathon Majors<\/a> with Sports Tours International. We caught up with Collette at the Dublin Marathon<\/a> where she shared her incredible story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Beginnings of a Running Legend <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Following a long illness, Colette\u2019s husband Larry encouraged her to take up running to rebuild her strength. Accompanied by their dog, Scrappy, Collette attempted her first run along Dundalk\u2019s Shore Road. It was anything but enjoyable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI had to stop and say, \u2018I can\u2019t do this,\u2019\u201d she said. Yet, with Larry\u2019s persistence and patience, running slowly became a part of her life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A few weeks later, Collette joined the Dundalk Joggers club, leading to her first Women\u2019s Mini run in Dublin. The experience was transformative, igniting a desire to keep upping the distance. From there, she set her sights on the full Dublin Marathon<\/a> \u2013 a decision that marked the start of an extraordinary running career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From Dublin to the Abbott World Marathon Majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Collette\u2019s first Dublin Marathon<\/a> was an experience of nerves and self-doubt. She remembers standing at the start line, intimidated by the other runners in their sleek new running gear. But by the time she crossed the finish line in under four hours, the self-doubt melted away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the years, Collette kept running, her next event being the Boston Marathon<\/a>, and her first international race. \u201cIt was such a prestigious event with a great history. I felt I was completely stepping out of my comfort zone,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since then, Collette has completed 12 Boston Marathons<\/a>, numerous London Marathons<\/a>, and all the Abbott World Marathon Majors<\/a> with a little help from Sports Tours International.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She said: \u201cIt\u2019s wonderful to travel with like-minded people, we look out for each other. You don\u2019t have to worry about anything, Sports Tours plan everything for you and completely take the stress away.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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