Members and supporters of Enniskillen Royal Boat Club took part in the Virtual Dublin Marathon/Dublin Race Series over the weekend in memory of Sir Anthony Hart and Tom Noble, two stalwart clubmen who died suddenly last year.

85 people in total took part in the four distances ranging from four miles to a full marathon.

This included rowers from the club, coaches, parents, supporters and members of the Noble and Hart families. Participants ran, walked, cycled and rowed their chosen distance in small socially distanced groups all over the UK under the relevant Covid-19 restrictions in their area.

There were some excellent performances from the rowers at the club as their competitive edges remain undiminished by the lockdown.

Kristen Bell was the top U19 female over 10k in a time of 53 mins and 55 seconds with ERBC rowers taking five out of the top six positions. Marcus Davis Kunze was fastest U19 Male in 10k in a great time of 27 mins and 45 seconds. The ERBC boys took the top four places. Aine McCaffrey was the second U19 female in half marathon with a time of 1 hour 48 mins and 46 seconds.

A couple of the rowers were also isolating and took to the indoor rowing machines to cover their distances.

Of course, the weekend was also about much more.

Tom Noble’s son Gareth was joined by his young son Tom junior for the last five miles of his marathon cycle around the Phoenix Park due to the fact that he was unable to travel more than 5km from his Dublin home. His brother Mark was to accompany him but he was self isolating at home.

Sir Tony’s daughter Katherine covered her marathon cycle in Edinburgh where she lives while Lady Mary Hart played her part by walking on the treadmill in her garage. Paddy Hart did his 42 km on the indoor rower.

Over the weekend the team managed to raise over £10,000 to put towards the purchase a new eight for the girls to compete in a new schoolgirls event at Henley Royal Regatta next year.

Gaye Conway from the Parent Support Group of the Club said: “We are delighted that we have managed to honour Sir Tony and Tom in this way. With the current Covid-19 restrictions we had to adapt our plans but the fact that the Dublin Marathon was Virtual this year allowed us to compete the distances in very small groups.

“It was also great at this tough time of lockdown to give everybody something positive and healthy to focus upon, it was a great team effort.

“We wish to thank everyone who took part, to everyone who sent messages of support and to all who donated money to our JustGiving page which will remain open until Sunday evening.

“Sir Tony and Tom played a huge part in the success of the Club and we will do all we can to ensure that their memory lives on through the work that we do at ERBC.”

Anyone wishing to donate can do so at https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/jennifer-conway-637?utm_id=125