Athletics:Feyisa Lilesa denied Russia's Aleksey Sokolov a third Dublin City Marathon title today. The 19-year-old Ethiopian, making his debut in the event, came home in a time of two hours, nine minutes and 11 seconds.
Sokolov, the record holder over this course and winner in 2006 and 2007, had to settle for second place on this occasion, finishing in a time of 2:10:35.
Lilesa’s time was just four seconds outside the fastest ever time for the course. In the women’s race, Katerina Stetsenko (2:32:45) took the gold medal.
Filesa admitted it had been a challenging win. “I’m very happy and surprised. It was very tough with the wind,” he said afterwards.
Sokolov was also happy with his podium finish.
“I ran the pace I wanted, but three miles before the finish, I had some cramps, and that slowed me down," he explained. "But I never gave up the chance. In the marathon, the possibility of catching the leader always exists.”
Irish-based athletes also fared well, with Sergiu Ciobanu and Annette Kealy taking the top national positions in the men and women’s section.
Moldovan-born Ciobanu trains with north Dublin club the Clonliffe Harriers and works in a meat factory in Cahir, Co Tipperary.
“I haven’t asked my boss for a day off tomorrow but I think I deserve it — I’ll come back in on Wednesday,” he said.