MORE THAN 6,600 people from over 16 countries took part in the Great Limerick Run yesterday, held in the city for the second year.
Glorious sunshine bathed the participants for much of the race, which was split into three events – a marathon, half-marathon and “six-miler” (10km).
Thousands lined the route to cheer on the competitors, many of whom were running for charity.
Participation in the event was up slightly on last year, with 6,637 people taking part. The various events featured young and old, from elite athletes to those strolling with buggies and children by their sides.
Among those taking part were 11-year-old cousins Shane and Michael Ambrose, running to raise funds for a new AstroTurf facility for their national school in Co Limerick, and Denis Keogh, who completed the marathon, adding to his tally of 95-plus such events.
Mr Keogh, originally from Limerick but now living in Birmingham, will celebrate his 86th birthday in June. He ran the marathon in less than five hours.
“I shouldn’t be here yet, I can’t believe it, I thought there was another mile to go,” he laughed after crossing the finishing line.
“It was lovely to run around Limerick and the Gaelic Grounds, where I played hurling when I was 16,” he added.
Dubliner Mags Mullaney, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease seven years ago, ran for the Move for Parkinson’s Associations. She completed the marathon event, saying afterwards that she was “absolutely delighted”.
RTÉ 2FM DJ Will Leahy and Limerick judge Tom O’Donnell – recently appointed to the circuit court – were also among the participants.
Groups representing Breast Cancer Ireland, Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital in Crumlin and Rehab took part in the 10km event.
By far the biggest group were those running as a memorial to Limerick Castletroy College teacher Eamon Mulcahy, who died of cancer in December of last year. Close to 200 of Mr Mulcahy’s family, friends and colleagues took part to raise funds for Milford Care Centre in the city.
Some 750 athletes took part in the full marathon, which was won by Freddie Keron Sittuk, from Kenya, followed by his compatriot Liezan Kimutai. Moldovan Sergui Ciobanu, a Cahir, Co Tipperary, resident for the past two years, came third.
The women’s marathon was won by Liz Hussey, from Monaleen in Limerick, followed by Maria McCarthy from Kerry, and Deirdre Flynn, also from Limerick.
Brian McMahon of the Clonliffe Harriers in Dublin won the men’s half-marathon event, while Angela McCann, from Clonmel, was first over the line in the women’s event.