Finishing second best European in the men’s world championship marathon – 21st overall – has given Paul Pollock considerable optimism for the future, especially as he enters the life of a full-time athlete.
Pollock, a junior doctor in a Belfast hospital will take a career break in his medical career and now plans to put all his energy into his running career, at least up until the Rio Olympics.
“My coach and I thought we could be top 10 coming in, but that was unrealistic looking now at all the Africans up front. But 21st and second European though, I have to be happy with that. It’s a step in the right direction.”
Pollock must now decide whether or not to target the European marathon next summer, or the Commonwealth Games, given he is also eligible to compete there for Northern Ireland.
In the meantime, however, he is committing to the Irish team for the European Cross Country in December.
Photo courtesy of James Veale/AAI
