CORK MARATHON:SONIA O'SULLIVAN officially started the Cork marathon yesterday before going on to take part in the event with a relay team.
O'Sullivan, who is based in Australia but frequently returns to Ireland, said that she was delighted to be back for the marathon.
"It is fantastic. It is great to see so many people involved. Just walking down here this morning was brilliant."
Among the 8,000 participants in the event was 64-year-old Carlow man John McDonald. Mr McDonald has competed in 200 marathons over the past 27 years.
Also taking part was 72-year- old Catherine O'Regan, from Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, who was competing in her 86th marathon. Ms O'Regan started marathon running only 20 years ago.
The first person over the line in an individual capacity yesterday was Roy Fahey, from Leevale Running Club, with a time of 2 hours, 33 minutes and 55 seconds. Mr Fahey came 3rd in 2007. He said marathon running was "not easy but enjoyable", adding: "I just relaxed and tried to get into a rhythm and not worry who was around me."
Eoin O'Connell, of the Cork Triathlon Club, finished second, and Cathal O'Connell, of St Finbarr's, came in third. Lucy Brennan, of Sligo AC, won the women's race in a time of 2 hours and 54 minutes.
Tied at the ankles and wrists, Cork pair Colin Carroll and John Meade finished in a time of 3:25:39. They shaved 15 minutes off the previous "three-legged" record set by twins Nick and Alastair Benbow in London in 1998.
The first relay runner over the line was Alan O'Shea, of Bantry Athletic Club, who won the overall marathon in 2007. Dr O'Shea praised his team-mates Cian Murphy, Ger Guiney, Martin Dooley and Suzanne Kennedy.