IRISH OLYMPIC silver medallist Sonia O’Sullivan sounded the race horn at the Bord Gáis Energy Cork City Marathon yesterday morning amid dismal weather conditions. Plastic sheets served as the “must have” clothing accessory on an extremely wet morning in the city.
The 10,000 competitors refused to let the poor weather conditions dampen their spirits as they made their way down Patrick Street at the start of the 26.2 mile route. An estimated 15,000 spectators lined the streets to cheer on the competitors.
The Defence Forces, emergency services and gardaí were on the streets from 4am to set up traffic restrictions and mark the course route and relay stations.
Among the competitors was Brian Murphy (29), a garda from Mallow, Co Cork, who has lost five stone in weight over the last year.
Murphy, an entrant in Red FM’s Fit Factor Challenge last year, signed up to an intensive fitness programme. He is hoping to run two other marathons this year, in Dingle in September and in Dublin the following month.
High-profile competitors included Lord Mayor of Cork Dara Murphy, former Cork football manager Billy Morgan and John Mullins, chief executive officer of An Bord Gáis.
A native of Moldova who is the reigning national marathon champion in Ireland was first over the finish line in a time of 2:25:54, beating the record for the event by 1 minute and 42 seconds.
Sergiu Ciobanu of Clonliffe Harriers, who lives in Co Clare, said he was pleased with his performance, particularly given the wet weather conditions.
“I am very happy to be in Cork. It is my first time here. I really enjoyed it, but the weather was a little bit tough and windy. Half way I started to really enjoy it because it [the course] was flat and without wind and rain.”
The first woman over the line was Lucy Brennan (51), from Sligo, with a finishing time of 2:54:41, her third success in a row. The first relay team to finish was the Metric Milers from Cork, in 2:21:21.
O’Sullivan said the Cork Marathon was by far one of her favourite events in the world.
“It is always a thrill to come back home, and the revised course this year is the best yet. It is much flatter, and I think the runners today appreciated the changes that have been made.”
She added: “The Bord Gáis Energy Cork City Marathon is now very much considered an international marathon event by participants, including elite athletes like today’s winner Sergiu, and that’s a fantastic achievement by the city.”