THE IRISH ON TOP IN BIG RACE

ETHIOPIAN runners were the winners in the Dublin marathon yesterday, with Asefa Bekele (2:13:24) taking the men’s race, and Mesera Dubiso the women’s in 2:33:48. The national titles went to Leevale’s Lizzie Lee and Mick Clohisey (Raheny Shamrocks), in excellent times of 2:35:05 and 2:15:58 for the 39th running of the race. For both it was their first national marathon titles, with Lee third overall in the women’s race, while Clohisey was sixth, in the fastest time by an Irishman for 27 years. Lee (right) was ecstatic and emotional at the finish, after a great year which also saw her win the women’s mini marathon for the first time. ‘It’s so good to win in Dublin,’ she said. ‘It’s a brilliant course with brilliant support all the way around. I really wanted to win the national title. ‘Running is my hobby and I am on a podium with two Ethiopian girls. Every second step I was getting a shout of “Lizzie” or “Leevale”. From the RDS on I felt like everyone else was doing the running for me.’ Caitriona Jennings (Letterkenny) ran strongly for second in 2:41:17 with Jill Hodgins (Leevale) third in 2:47:53. Clohisey was following in the footsteps of his coach Dick Hooper, a three-time winner of the Dublin race and multiple national marathon champion. ‘It’s my first time to run Dublin, the home town, so I was really looking forward to this,’ he said. ‘It was quite a slow start but then eventually the lads started to pick it up after we left the park. I managed to reel off about six or seven lads from about 18 miles on, so I just kept focusing ahead. ‘Some of the areas and crowds are just brilliant and you have in your head that it’s a nice finish so it gives you confidence. I really enjoyed it and happy to get the national title as well.’