Sligo well represented at Dublin Marathon
IT was an emotional Dublin City Marathon for the Sligo AC crew who joined the 20,000 runners participating in the 39 th Dublin City Marathon.
Although club members were missing the main man, Joe Davey, they did what he would have wanted them to do, and ran their hearts out.
Racing conditions were perfect and this was reflected in the many great performances. First Sligo AC runner into Merrion Square was Damien Kennedy in a top class 2:46:34 PB, a just reward for his hard training.
David Kearins was the second club-man home in an excellent 2:55:21 PB. Gerry Gilmartin had a superb race, controlling his run to finish under the magical 3 hour for the first time in 2:59:28 PB.
Bill Carty made his debut at the marathon distance and he ran hard to finish in 3:05:18. Well done to Eavan McLoughlin with an excellent debut of 3:12:35. Audrey Collery had a great race and had a new PB of 3.17 while Fintan Whelan also had a good run to come home in 3:18:08. Sean Colreavy had a fine race and he was rewarded with a PB of 3:18:22.
Alan Gilmartin made his return to marathons and he finished in a PB 3:22:40.
Marian Duggan, on her second marathon, ran a great 3.24.27. Congrats to Enda Whelan, so consistent in his running over the years and he was rewarded with 3rd M65 in 3:27:46.
Eilish Doherty had a fine run also to PB 3.35.42. Well done to Nicky Davey, another man who made a welcome return to the marathon and he ran 3:32:15. Fiona Fahey Gilmartin had a difficult day but showed huge courage to battle it out and come home in 3:49.55.
Congratulations also to Brendan McCarrick 4:00:13, Fiona Boyle 4.03.26 PB, Sarah Mc Caffery 4.09 PB, Emer Kelly (First marathon) 4.18.05 , Myles Kavanagh (First marathon) 4:26:26, Niamh Kavanagh 4.26.26 PB, Enda Gilmartin (First marathon) 4:28:57, Aidan Kelly (First marathon) 4:30:56, Niamh Walsh 4.31.11 PB, Vanessa Foley 4.42.53, Orla Ryan 4:50:48 and Fiona Melvin 4:54:14.
Special mention to the Davey family who took Joe’s number and carried it every step with pride.
Meanwhile, Aiden McMoreland led his North Sligo AC team home with a great performance in the Marathon on Sunday last.
McMoreland was the first Co Sligo runner to finish in a new PB of 2 hours 43 min.
Donal Egan was the 2nd runner from the club to finish in a new PB of 2 hours 48 mins, Padraig Kelly took six minutes off his PB when finishing in 2 hrs 53 min, Mark Kavanagh set a huge PB when finishing in 3hrs 36min and the clubs 5 th male runner to finish was Noel Darcy in a time of 4hrs 11min.
Ciara Kelly in her first marathon ran a very good time of 3 hrs 43 mins,next club member to finish was Cathy McCarthy in 3hrs 46 min her fastest in several years and the 3rd club member to finish was Marie Foran in her first journey over the distance to record a good time of 3hrs 50mins.