What’s Happening
Toowoomba-raised and local legend marathon runner Patrick Tiernan will have the hopes of the city behind him as he competes for redemption at the Paris Olympics.
Why It Matters
The former St Joseph’s College Toowoomba student is now ranked the second-fastest marathon runner in Australian history after recording a time of 2:07.45 at the Houston Marathon in January.
Tiernan’s athletics journey started when his primary school teacher saw him running and asked if he wanted to join his squad.
Tiernan enjoyed a strong junior career before heading off to college in the US, running for the highly regarded Villanova.
The Toowoomba tearaway has competed for Australia at Rio and Tokyo in the 5000m and the 10,000m, but in Tokyo, his Olympic dreams were shattered when he fell 180m from the finish line in a tough 10,000m race.
He bravely got up and finished the race before being wheeled off the track by officials.
The 29-year-old will compete in the marathon in Paris, and although he is not considered a favourite to win, he will definitely be a fan favourite in Toowoomba.
When To Watch
Patrick Tiernan is scheduled to compete in the men’s marathon at the Paris 2024 Olympics on 10 August.
The race will start from the Hôtel de Ville and finish at Invalides.
Given the time difference, the event will take place in the afternoon in Paris, which will be late evening or night in AEST.