David Wilson, a former Junior International and Collegiate Athlete, who made his home in the states after a completing an athletic scholarship there was in scintillating form during the 2008 racing season in his home town of Chicago. With a compelling series of races over varies distances from 5k to10 miles, David won the series outright and also was the winner of the master 35-39 age category, after winning all his category races.
Competing over the thirteen race series, David won seven races outright, had three top three finishes and was placed in the top five in the remaining three races, while taking first place in his category in all thirteen races. David had season bests of 15.20 for 5k; 20.26 for 4 mile and several sub 55 minutes for 10 milers. He also received the perfect New Year gift when he was named the, ‘2008 Male Athlete of the Year’ by the CARA organisation and will receive his award at a CARA Gala banquet in the Allegro Hotel in Downtown Chicago on Saturday 17 January. “I certainly didn’t expect that, but it will give me plenty of motivation to keep slogging away over the cold winter months”, were his very words at receiving the news of the award.
After a few weeks break, David has been steadily building up his mileage again to a steady 70-80 miles a week, with a view to the new season and entering a new age category, where his targets will be to get among the top master athletes in Illinois. He is also hoping to target a few half marathons this New Year.
Everyone at Tír Chonaill AC wishes him the best for 2009 and we hope to catch up with him during the summer.
David Wilson with the trophy for winning the Fall Fest 5k in September 2008
David after training season in January 2009