Athletics: Six-star Oliver is first Harrier to complete six 'major' marathons

AN INTREPID Greenock Glenpark Harriers athlete has become the very first member of the club to complete all six of the world’s marathon ‘majors’.

The 2024 New York Marathon on November 3 completed Oliver Reilly’s six-star journey – one that had previously seen him cross the finishing line in the Harriers’ blue and yellow colours in London, Boston, Chicago, Berlin and Tokyo.

He started off in London in October 2021, a race delayed by Covid, in a time of two hours, 48 minutes and 40 seconds.

Oliver completed the New York Marathon in three hours and three minutes (Image: Contributed) Then followed Boston and Chicago the following year, Berlin in 2023 and this year Tokyo and ‘the Big Apple’.

And it was all kicked off thanks to the luck of the draw after Oliver was rejected for a place in the 2021 London race – only to have his name drawn out of a hat for the one spot available to members of the Greenock Glenpark Harriers.

A spokesperson for the Harriers said: “Oliver’s name was pulled out of the hat in late 2020, and there began a journey that would see him set his eyes on all six of the world marathon majors.

“Anyone who has watched Oliver's dedication since that moment will see that habits are indeed a powerful and breed opportunities to be excellent.

The New York race was the last of Oliver Reilly's six 'majors'. (Image: Contributed) Oliver’s 2.48 in London was a huge PB at the time and allowed him to qualify for Boston the following year. He backed up his London run with a 2.51 in Boston, on a much more challenging course, then set his eyes on Chicago in the same year.

“A time of 2.44 was real testament to his progress, and solidified his ambition to not only complete all 6, but maybe break the three hour mark for each as well!

“2023 allowed Oliver another go at London, where he ran 2.50 as a wee warm up for the big one in Berlin later that year. Another PB followed in Berlin with 2.42, and we were down to two to go!

“The last two can be the trickiest to guarantee entry, so no risks were taken, and Oliver invested in the Sports Tours package for both of them.

The 2024 New York Marathon was run on November 3. (Image: Contributed) “First came Tokyo in March 2024, a phenomenal experience backed up with an incredible PB of 2.40.14. The kimono-clad Oliver returned home to a hero’s welcome knowing that he was now a stone’s throw away from completing the journey. The Big Apple awaited in late 2024.

“What could go wrong? Well, running isn’t as simple as Oliver had made it look for the last four years. Some say it never goes to plan, and some only occasionally. The autumn of 2024 was to be Oliver’s stumbling block as injury ravaged his training in the final six weeks before his transatlantic journey.

“Just prior to that, he had run a 5k PB of 16.41 and had finished third at the Harriers’ 4km club race.

“The form was there, but the body doesn’t always play ball. However, the trip was booked, the ankle was strapped and Oliver headed stateside after four weeks of essentially no running.

Oliver battled through injury to complete the New York race. (Image: Contributed) “The ‘sub 3’ ambition for all six marathons was still in the head, and from the gun in Staten Island, Oliver headed across the Narrows Bridge and into Brooklyn at pace. He hit halfway in around 1.26, good time in the bank at that stage. The route leaves Brooklyn and heads over the Queensboro Bridge and into Manhattan, heading north towards a quick loop in The Bronx.

The route then heads south on Fifth  Avenue and into Central Park for the finale. It was on this stretch that the difficult miles hit, and Oliver’s target had to change to just getting over the line unscathed.

“Oliver finished in an amazing time of 3.06.36, and given the build-up and injury, this could be considered his hardest effort of the lot.

“The six star finisher’s medal was waiting for him at the end. The first Greenock Glenpark Harrier to achieve this and one of less than 20,000 in the world to do it. A phenomenal achievement.

Oliver joins an elite club of fewer than 20,000 people to have run the marathons in London, Chicago, Boston, Berlin, Tokyo and New York. (Image: Contributed) "You might ask what is next for Oliver when you have put so much time, effort and money into achieving the six stars? Well, an hour after he crossed the line, marathon major number 7 was announced…. Looks like Oliver will have to head down under to continue the journey in Sydney!

“However, with rumours that this is the first step towards nine majors, maybe it’s time for a break. Or maybe it’s time to get ready for Manchester 2025!”