Father, Son Compete in NYC Marathon

Sean and Brendan Gavin display their 40th anniversary medals from the NYC Marathon Committee indicating completion of the rigorous competition. ERIC GROss Brendan and Sean Gavin have a common bond.

The father and son, who reside in Stormville, ran the New York City Marathon and both completed the rigorous 26.2 mile course.

Sean, 18, a senior at Carmel High School, and Brendan, 51, a carpenter by trade, decided some time ago to run the marathon together.

Sean said when he recently turned 18 he decided, “this was the year. I wanted to run side-by-side with my dad. This would be really cool, since dad had already competed in two previous marathons in New York City.”

Brendan said that while completing any marathon is a huge accomplishment, “knowing that Sean was competing as well made this year’s run really special.”

Sean bested his dad with a time of 4 hours, 4 minutes, and 4 seconds to Brendan’s 4 hour, 30 minute time.

More than 42,000 runners competed. Sean said, “Finishing was something else. I thought my dad was way out in front of me, because we lost each other after the first 10 miles when my dad took off. When I crossed the finish line my mom advised that I bested dad. Wow!”

The father and son trained for 18 weeks, peaking at 40 miles per week. Brendan smiled: “We knew the route from Stormville to Carmel like the backs of our hands because the round trip became our long run.”

Hundreds of competitors developed severe cramps that caused them to withdraw from the contest. Brendan called diet important: “Besides watching what you eat you have to train. Like everything else in life, homework must be done in order to succeed.”

While Sean was the only Carmel High School student to participate in the marathon, a number of his friends traveled to the Big Apple on that Sunday to wish him well.

Sean is a member of the CHS soccer team. His plan for next year is college, so a repeat performance has been ruled out in 2010.

Sean admitted though the marathon bug bit him: “I’ll be back again because I want to beat my time next time.”

Brendan also plans to take a year’s hiatus from the marathon circuit: “Maybe a half-marathon, but the full ride is difficult to prepare for.”

Both father and son thanked wife and mom, Susan, and daughters and sisters Kayla and Angela for their support, as well.