Somers the first Sligo AC athlete home at marathon
CONDITIONS were dry with a slight breeze for the 16,000 runners participating in the 38th Dublin City Marathon, the fourth largest event of its kind in Europe.
Merrion Square signified the end of the gruelling 26.25 mile run as the tired and aching runners proudly sprinted, jogged, walked and staggered across the welcoming finish line.
Kenya’s Bernard Rotich won the men’s race in 2:15:52 while the women’s winner was Ukraine’s Natalia Lehonkova who crossed the line in 2:28:57. Freddie Sittuk of Raheny Shamrocks, a former Warriors Race winner, won the National Championships in 2:16:05 while Mourne Runners’ Laura Graham was the female winner in 2: 39:06.
First Sligo AC runner to reach the finishing podium was Richard Gorman in 2:40:35 earning him 53rd overall and 13th M40. Seamus Somers gained a new PB with 2:43:09 and was 71st overall and 16th M40. Next Sligo AC athlete home was Damien Kennedy in 2:52:47 and 55th M40.
This combination will hopefully be in the mix for the Masters team prize.
David Kearins ran a strategic 2:56:47, a new PB. Mel Casserly, in his 13th consecutive Dublin marathon, was 3:08:17 while Gerry Gilmartin capped a great year’s running with a huge PB of 3:09:31.
Fintan Whelan braved an injury from 13 miles to run 3:15:54 similar to Jason McMorrow who ran 3:16:05 despite picking up an injury on mile 22. Karen Sweeney, in only her second ever marathon, was first female Sligo AC athlete home and she finished in 3:17:23.
Alan Kearins made a welcome return to marathons after a 12 year absence to finish in 3:22:58. Sean Colreavy finished in a good 3:24:27.
Another super run by the evergreen Enda Whelan who completed the distance in 3:24:27 and retained the M65 National title.
Joe Davey ran 3:33:33, a PB of 5 minutes. Stephen Gilgan was another man who has had a good year and he finished in a PB of 3:43:46.
Strong running also by Eilish Doherty in 3:51:51, Aisling Cawley 3:52:23, Fiona Fahey Gilmartin 3:53:08, Aisling Kennedy 3:54:24, Brendan McCarrick 4:02:52, Sara Jane Boyce, on her maiden marathon debut, 4:06:32, Fiona Boyle 4:08:17, Rose Young 4:16:51, Vanessa Foley 4:28:48, Damien Conlon 4:36:04, Roberta McDonald 4:37:06 while Olivia Seery was 3rd F70 in 5:35:54.
Well done to all the runners from County Sligo who completed the run.
Special mention to the Higgins family who ran in memory of the late Iwetta Higgins with Jane Higgins 4:27:03, Paul Higgins 3:57:01, Ciaran Higgins 4:42:33 and Colm Higgins 7:13:47.