20,000 winners!
Dublin Marathon proves a riot of colour with a record number of participants
TEARS of joy and relief were shed as a recordbreaking 20,000 people crossed the finish line in yesterday’s Dublin Marathon.
The race began at Fitzwilliam Square and led participants throughout the city before finishing up at Merrion Square.
And locals kept runners’ spirits high, as thousands lined the streets to cheer on participants and acknowledge their dedication. Emotions were running high for many as they finally made it over the finish line, including a tearful new mother, Sinéad Whitehall, who ran the race with her husband Ken.
‘I had a baby 11 months ago, so it’s really emotional,’ she said. ‘I hadn’t ran in a couple of years. I watched it last year when I was nine months pregnant so I just wanted to come back.’
Some of those taking part were well versed with proceedings, including 67-year-old Garry Clarke, who yesterday ran his 50th marathon and 34th Dublin Marathon. While he wasn’t too happy with his time posted, he has no plans to hang up his runners just yet. ‘This is a bad one for me today, this is my slowest,’ he said.
One man who was happy with his time was Bernard Rotich from Kenya who took home the men’s title, finishing in 2 hours and 15 minutes, while the women’s elite race was won in 2 hours and 28 minutes by Nataliya Lehonkova from Ukraine.
Freddy Sittuk from Raheny Shamrocks AC took home the title of National Champion in the male category. The female National Championship winner was Laura Graham from Mourne Runners.
Pauline Curley from Tullamore Harriers AC came third in the category, and was beaming as she collected her bronze medal.
‘I’ve ran it 11 times,’ she said. ‘I’d say this was my last time to run it. I am so, so happy, it’s better than winning it.’
Patrick Monahan took home the gold medal in the Wheelchair Championship.
Not all participants did it just for the love of competing, as many were there on behalf of causes close to their hearts.
Paul Boyle took part yesterday to raise awareness for Belfastbased mental health charity, PIPS.
‘It’s a great cause, they do great work on the ground for people in crisis,’ he said, adding that the electrifying atmosphere along the course kept him going.