12th August 2003 - New York City Marathon Race Director and New York Road Runners President and CEO Allan Steinfeld formally announced to the press that Mark Carroll would participate in the 2003 ING New York City Marathon on 2nd November.

"Mark continued the tradition of great Irish long distance running with his successful transition to the marathon distance last year and he returns as an even stronger contender to break into the top three," said Steinfeld. "We look for the Irish-American community here in New York to come out in huge numbers to encourage and cheer on Mark every step of his way."

NYRRC Executive Vice President Mary Wittenberg welcomed Mark's return to the New York City Marathon on a conference call today with athletics journalists; "We are thrilled to have Mark back to run the 34th ING New York City Marathon." She challenged Mark saying, "There's never been an Irish champion at the New York Marathon!" He graciously countered, "I'll try to change that."

Carroll made his marathon debut at last year's race placing sixth. Carroll's time of 2.10.54 run in the 2002 event ranks second best on the All-Time Irish marathon list. Fellow Providence College graduate John Treacy, the 1984 Marathon Olympic Sliver Medallist, set the Irish national record of 2.09.15 at the 1988 Boston Marathon.

Carroll's brilliant performance in New York last fall ended a streak of bad luck in major races that haunted Mark at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and at the 2001 World Championships in Edmonton where he failed to reach the final. His disappointments are relative when you consider he currently holds Irish national records in the 3,000 meters (7.30.36, Monaco, 1999), 5,000 metres (13.03.93, Berlin, 1998), and 10,000 metres (27.46.82, Stanford, 2000).

With a successful marathon on his running resume, the Corkman had his sights set on Treacy's record hoping to break it on the very course it was set - Boston. He savoured his New York accomplishment and wisely rested the remainder of November.

His warm-weather winter training programme took him to Gainesville, Florida. "My December and January training went well in Florida," he said. Next up for the Leevale Olympian was a dose of altitude training in Albuquerque, New Mexico with American star Bob Kennedy and recent Providence grad, Keith Kelly. After only a week Carroll developed a niggling injury in his bum area. The experienced and ever so cautious lad went for an MRI, which came back negative. Despite that good news, the pain persisted. "I couldn't roll over in bed or even get in a car without pain," he explained. "The pain was in my pelvis area. I contacted the Irish Sports Council and set off for Ireland straightaway. I went to Limerick as soon as I landed where I had another scan. This time something showed up." He brought the results back to America and had a myriad of specialists analyse them. While the medical experts debated his malady, Carroll contacted some local tri-athletes in the Gainesville area and began his Tour de France cycling regiment that consisted of rides 30-60 miles in length five to six days per week. Carroll commented, "I always wanted to get a good road bike. This was a great excuse to do it. I think I was able to keep my aerobic fitness with the 14 weeks of riding the bike." After countless treatments of ice and ultrasound along with therapy sessions, Carroll found the problem was a misalignment of the pelvic girdle.

Carroll, now off the bike, has been training since early May. Last week in Haverford, Pennsylvania, he completed a 5,000-metre time trial on the track as part of a pacing arrangement for a Kenyan Gilbert Okari in search of a qualifying time for the upcoming World Championships." He covered the distance in a very respectable 13.53. A relieved Carroll said, "I haven't raced in nine months. Not since the marathon. I was a bit rusty. It was very hot and it hurt a lot but I felt good when it was over. My hip wasn't sore. My coach [Jim Harvey] was pleased. I'm running over 100 miles a week. I've got six to eight weeks of base work behind me for now."

When asked if he felt he could improve on his 2002 effort, Carroll responded, "I'm not setting a time goal. It's more important to be competitive - time is secondary. I don't want to allow a gap to be made on me on 1st Avenue like last year. Some years the race is run around 2.11 while other years it is won near 2.08. I want to be prepared for either."

Carroll discussed the difference between competing in a marathon with experience versus the novice he was last November. "I only had about nine real weeks of marathon training last year. I came in with a good track speed and a bit of natural talent as well. As a rookie, the thought of running 13 miles at 4.52 pace and then running miles 16-19 in 4.34-4.39 was frightening. I was afraid of 1st Avenue last year. This year I want to prepare for that break."

Despite the flurry of injuries he's endured this season, Carroll feels he'll be more prepared for this year's race. "The main focus for this year is the New York City Marathon. I don't have any distractions like I did last summer with races in Europe. This year I should have 20 weeks of marathon training." When asked if he'll modify his routine from last year's very successful preparation, he detailed the changes, "Long runs! This year I'll be able to more long runs and I will probably do longer runs too. Last year I did fast 20-milers and one 24 miler. This year I will do longer runs where I run the first miles easy and then run fast for 15 miles. I may also simulate the race by running 20 miles and then hammer the last 5 or so."

Comparing track with marathon training he clarified, "It is much more demanding to prepare for a marathon. You do a track session that may be 4-6, 400 metres or 5 times 800 metres and you're done in 20 minutes. Going for a fast 20 miler is much harder. If you're going to take the marathon route, you'd better be serious about it - you must be ready to hurt."

Addressing whether or not Treacy's record is a goal he replied, "If it comes in New York, it's a bonus. If a few years go by and I don't have the record, I may have to find a fast course and chase it." When asked about Ray Flynn's records, Mark laughed, "My days of being a miler are over. Ray [Ray Flynn is Mark Carroll's agent] can have his records. It was fun running miles and 1,500's in Europe but my days are done. I think I can improve on my 5,000 and 10,000 records.""

Eventually it comes down to going for the win. "Anything can happen on the day. There are lots of things to consider. There is the weather, how you feel and the tactics. This not being my first, I'll be more inclined to take a chance. You can win or lose the race on 1st Avenue - I think I'll be ready."

2003 ING NYC Marathon Website