With exactly four weeks left until the closing date, entries for the National Lottery Dublin Marathon on October 31 are already at a record high.
A further boost for the race is the news that for the first time since its early days, the race will be televised live on the day. That means the start time has been brought forward an hour, 10am, with the first wave starting at 9.50am. In all three waves will operate – under 3 hours 30 minutes, under 4 hours 51minutes and over 4 hours 15 minutes. Full details on the marathon website.
Many of those who have already entered are using Saturday’s National Lottery Half Marathon as a test of their fitness, with the race limit of 8,500 reached before the entry deadline.
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| Brian Maher – off to Great North Run |
Upfront the race is wide open. A large group of Irish distance runners are heading for the Great North Run, among them Mark Kenneally, who tops the current Irish marathon rankings,Tallaght’s Sean Connolly, and Sean Hehir and Brian Maher who were first and second in the National Half Marathon. Women travelling include Maria McCambridge of Letterkenny and Bilboa’s Rosie Ryan.
A stunning total of 54,000 has entered the Newcastle race, which will be televised live.
With no overseas raiders expected, Saturday’s Dublin race is wide open, as indeed it was last year, when Alan O’Shea came home first in 67 minutes 5 seconds. Rathfarnham’s Barry Minnock leads the men’s entry, while Siobhan O’Doherty of Borrisokane and Clonmel’s Angela McCann lead the women’s list.
Minnock has had a busy few weeks. He helped Rathfarnham WSAF to team victory at the National Half Marathon earlier this month where he finished fourth in 67 minutes 20 seconds. Last weekend, he was part of the ninth-placed Irish team at the World Mountain Running Championships in Albania.
O’Doherty was fourth in the Frank Ryan “10” with a solid time of 57 minutes 46 seconds. The veteran McCann, a frequent racer, won the John Buckley Sports/Cork Half-Marathon in Blarney last weekend in 83 minutes 10 seconds.
Expect traffics restrictions in the Park on Saturday – runners and supporters are advised to take public transport and use the Phoenix Park shuttle bus from the Main Gate. Start and finish are both in the Papal Cross area.
HOT TIMES IN ALBANIA
Mark Ryan of Rathfarnham WSAF led the Irish men to ninth place at the World Mountain Running Championships held in trying conditions in the Albanian capital of Tirana. In blazing hot conditions and on a course well suited to road runners, Ryan finished 26th – over six minutes behind the American winner Max King. Scotland-based Sarah McCormack was first of the Irish women in 37th place, with the team finishing 11th.
A CHOICE OF SHORTER RACES
Looking for a nice short race this weekend? On Saturday evening (5pm), the Mick Murphy 4-Mile takes place in Ferns, Co Wexford,while on Sunday (2pm), Ashford in Co Wicklow is the venue on Sunday for a charity 5km in aid of housebuilding in Haiti. Both well worth the trip.
RECORD NUMBER AT SCATTER-O
A record 200 turned out for the Fingal Scatter Orienteering event in Newbridge House last Sunday. A final round takes place in Malahide Castle on Sunday 12 noon, with short, medium and long options. Something for all the family.
A record 200 turned out for the Fingal Scatter Orienteering event in Newbridge House last Sunday. A final round takes place in Malahide Castle on Sunday 12 noon, with short, medium and long options. Something for all the family.
ANOTHER WIN FOR LEDWITH
Andrew Ledwith of Fr Murphy’s continued his winning streak on the roads when he came home first at the Rennicks Cup 5-Mile in Bohermeen. Ledwith’s time of 25 minutes 1 seconds put him a minute clear of Raheny’s Simon Ryan. Women’s winner was Kerry Harty of Newcastle.
ENTER CORK TO COBH
A much favoured warm-up race for the Dublin Marathon is the annual BHAA Cork to Cobh 15-miler – one of the few point-to-point races left on the calendar. Entry fee for this year’s race on Sunday October 2 (9.30am) is €10 (until September 23) or €20 on the day. Entry forms at www.corkbhaa.com; info Kevin Cummins 021-429 2509/087 9144765.
UK ATHLETICS COACH FOR BELFAST
Charles van Commenee the tough-talking head coach of UK Athletics and the British Olympic Squad visits Belfast on Thursday September 29 to talk to coaches and elite athletes.
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| Peter Matthews |
Venue for the talk is the Ramada Hotel, Shaw’s Bridge, Belfast (6.30pm). Info vicki@niathletics.org
A few days earlier, on September 24, UUJ hosts the Athletics NI’s annual annual coaching conference, with many coaches travelling from the south to attend.
MATTHEWS WINS IN FIRHOUSE
Peter Matthews was a clear winner of the BHAA Grant Thornton 10km, held on the busy roads around Firhouse. It was a first outing for Matthews since winning the national masters’ cross-country title last February. Laura Shaughnessy was first woman. Next up for BHAA runners is Saturday’s National Lottery Half Marathon, with prizes on offer in the usual categories.
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