Raheny’s Freddy Keron Sittuk proved the class of the field at the Pat the Baker Marathon, when he won comfortably in 2 hrs 37 mins 45 seconds. Over eight minutes behind for second was West Waterford’s Raivis Zakis. Siobhan McHugh of Clonmel AC was first woman in 3 hrs 23 mins 55 secs. Caroline Kelly was second and former winner Mary Jennings of Waterford AC third.
Other notable finishers included the official race starter Tony “World Jog” Mangan, who jogged around the course; Raheny’s Dave Brady ,who has run about ten further marathons since becoming the first Irish person to run 500m marathons last month and race founder Liam Fenelon who finished in 5 hrs 25 mins, with Sean Lambe, another “supervet” a minute behind him.
A very special finisher was Denis Keogh, originally from Limerick, who became the oldest person ever to complete the Longford course. In 1948, Denis moved across the Irish Sea and settled in Oldbury. He finished the marathon in 7 hrs 17 mins and 37 secs – not bad for a 90-year-old!
Winning the half marathon was Richard Gorman in 70 mins 21 secs, with Don Travers from Newry five minutes behind for second. Fourth overall and first woman was Michelle McGee in 78 mins 29 secs.
Sunday August 30
Pat the Baker Longford Marathon, Half Marathon, Ultra Marathon and Marathon Relay, www.longfordmarathon.com.
Marathon – Men: 1 Freddy Keron Sittuk (Raheny Shamrock) 2:37.45, 2 Raivis Zakis (W Waterford) 2:46.36, 3 Nigel O’Flaherty 2:49.33. Women: 1 Siobhan McHugh 3:23.55, 2 Caroline Kelly 3:26.37, 3 Mary Jennings (Waterford AC, W60) 3:26.29. Relay – Team Zoom with the Groom 3:13.31.
Half Marathon – Men: 1 Richard Gorman 70.21, 2 Don Travers (Newry) 75.21, 3 Barry Shiel 75.51. Women: 1 Michelle McGee 78.29, 2 Michelle Murray 95.11, 3 Eileen Donohoe 96.56.
Ultra – Men: John Reynolds 4:46.34. Women: Sinead Phelan 5:21.43.
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