Local road-race runner Alan O'Shea led home the 2,000 entrants in yesterday's Cork City Marathon.
O'Shea, a member of Bantry Athletic Club and a doctor at the Mercy Hospital in Cork, was the first person over the finish line with a time of just under 2½ hours.
O'Shea said he was delighted to come out the winner of the first full marathon in the city in 21 years.
"It was a hot day, but I was comfortable enough. I wasn't under any great pressure all the way. I finished fairly well and fairly strong, so I am happy now. My times were fairly consistent the whole way."
Lord Mayor of Cork Michael Ahern, who was on hand to welcome home the athletes, said that it had been a wonderful day for the city.
He went on to predict that the marathon would go from strength to strength over the next 10 years.
Mr Ahern was himself a participant in five marathons in the 1980s.
Cork's marathon was the first full event of its type to be held in the city in 21 years. It got under way on Patrick Street at 9am.
Road closures and diversions in the city and suburbs continued until 6pm.
The marathon started in Patrick Street before moving in the direction of Silversprings and Lovers' Walk before heading for the Carrigrohane straight. It proceeded to the North Mall, Pope's Quay and Lavitt's Quay and then eastward back to Patrick Street for the finish.
Among the entrants in yesterday's race was blind athlete Paul Watts, from Britain, who was competing in his 156th marathon.
Five members of the 100 Marathons Club, who between them have completed nearly 900 races, took part alongside the 2,000 other runners.
A number of entrants participated on behalf of local charities.
Two runners from Togher in Cork, David Buckle and Austin O'Connor, raised close to €3,000 for the Marymount Hospice, while other popular causes included the Alzheimer Society of Ireland and the Irish Cancer Society.
Cork native and London-based Elma O'Reilly raised close to €1,200 for the Jack and Jill Children's Foundation. Her employer, Nike, had pledged to match her total, which will double the amount raised to €2,400.
Volunteers from the St John Ambulance Brigade, the Army and Civil Defence looked after water stations and assisted the runners.
The fastest runners crossed the finish line before noon, with the next-fastest athletes making their way home between 1pm and 3pm.