Curley takes her chance

WOMEN'S MINI MARATHON: The Women's mini marathon around Dublin yesterday was not all about charity. Pauline Curley from Tullamore did some serious running when winning the 10km race in 34 minutes 20 seconds.

It was the most satisfying performance of Curley's career. At 33 she has been on the Irish distance running scene for over a decade and the victory meant something special. "I cannot believe I've won this race," she said. "It's just a fantastic feeling and the crowd along the route were fantastic."

Having finished fifth on two previous occasions, Curley joins an elite list of previous winners that includes Sonia O'Sullivan and Catherina McKiernan. And she made no mistake either by keeping up front from the start, and eventually won by a minute from the pre-race favourite Geraldine Hendricken.

"I knew my best chance of winning was to make it as fast as possible and just before halfway I broke away at a time when I could not believe I was feeling so strong."

Previously Curley was known as a cross-country specialist, and was on the Irish team that won bronze medals at the world championships in Turin in 1997. She was on the Irish team in Leopardstown in March but ran the long-course race, and so missed out on a bronze similar.

Hendricken had stayed with her for the opening four kilometres but at the next checkpoint at five kilometres, Curley was 30 metres clear. Back in third was Annette Kealy of Dublin (35:54), while further back the road the 35,000-plus starters were battling on at a slightly less pressing pace. For Curley the next target may be the true marathon distance, possibly in Dublin next October.

Patrice Dockery was typically dominant in the wheelchair race, repeating her win in 29.39, while Emer Patton was second in 36.55.