Wicklow Wonder: Fionnuala McCormack

Fionnuala McCormack needs no introduction, a formidable force in the world of distance running and a proud representative of Ireland on the global stage. With a remarkable list of achievements to her name, Fionnuala has cemented her legacy as one of Ireland’s most celebrated athletes.

Fionnuala’s journey to greatness began with her remarkable performances at the European Cross Country Championships, where she clinched gold medals in both 2011 and 2012, etching her name in the records of history as the first woman to successfully defend the title.

But Fionnuala’s story doesn’t end there. In a remarkable feat of determination and resilience, she secured her place in the history books yet again last December. Just five months after giving birth to her third daughter, Fionnuala qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympics, making her the first Irish woman to represent Ireland five times at the Olympics.

As she continues to inspire countless athletes with her incredible achievements, Fionnuala remains a shining example of what can be accomplished through hard work, passion, and unwavering determination. We are delighted she joined us for a Q&A as we continue to celebrate the inspiring Wicklow sport stars for Women In Sport Week.

What inspired you to start playing your sport?
I think I always loved running, playing chasing with my cousins was my favourite game as a kid and I joined Kilcoole AC because my older sister was in the club too

Can you share a memorable moment or achievement in your sporting career that you’re particularly proud of?
At the European Cross Country Championships in Budapest in 2012 I retained the individual title and led our team to gold medals too. It was particularly memorable because we won the team title on count back so there really was no room for error, even an individual silver that day would have lost us the team gold.

How do you balance the demands of training and competitions with other aspects of your life?
Being a distance runner and training mostly on my own allows me to fit training in around everything else going on in my life. The best thing about running is that you can pretty much train anywhere and at any time of the day.

How has being a female athlete impacted your perspective on gender equality in sports?
I am lucky that I am in a sport where males and females are pretty much treated equally; we race the same distances and national and international competitions are run concurrently on the same days, we even compete on the same teams and prize money is the same for men and women too.

Who is your role model in sports, and how have they influenced your approach to your athletic career?
I didn’t really have any role models growing up, I don’t think I paid that much attention to other sportspeople but I try to be a good example to my children now.

What is your favourite pre-game ritual or routine that helps you prepare mentally and physically?
I often wear odd socks…it started with green and yellow for Kilcoole.

Outside of training and competition, what are your favourite hobbies or activities?
Gardening, painting and decorating.

What advice do you have for young girls aspiring to become athletes in your sport?
Athletics is a great sport for young girls because there are many disciplines to choose from, it’s an individual sport so you don’t have to rely on teammates to stick with it, and its great to be in a sport where you are treated equally to your male counterparts. I would advise picking a discipline you enjoy and sticking with it and you will be rewarded.

If you could compete or train with any athlete, past or present, who would it be and why?
I would probably go for a long run with Jerry Kiernan because I know he liked to train in Wicklow and he always had great self-belief, stories and insights to share.