from Athletics Northern Ireland St Malachy’s Joe McAlister and City of Derry’s Greg Roberts had the race of their lives in the 31st Dublin Marathon today (Monday 25th October) when both runners obliterated their PB’S to record the fastest marathon times by Northern athletes in over 13 years.
29 year old McAlister easily achieved his pre-race plan to improve on his sub 2hrs 25mins PB set in Hamburg 18 months ago. He took full advantage of the good conditions and world class field to lower his time by over three and a half minutes when he crossed the line in an excellent 2hrs 21mins 6secs. This is the fastest marathon time by a Northern athlete since John Ferrin’s sub 2.21 win in the 1997 Belfast Marathon.
McAlister had the added satisfaction of being the second Irish finisher in the record 13,000 strong field. Just as memorable was 3rd Irishman Greg Roberts who exceeded all expectations to finish only 10 secs behind McAlister. This confirmed the Derryman’s good form this year as shown by a series of PB’s on both track and road the most notable being his 10 miles win in Cork last March.
Omagh’s Steven Duncan had a solid run to finish in just over 2hrs 31 mins. A disappointed Gladys Ganiel-O’Neill of Abbey was forced to withdraw because of a cold.
There were record winning times in both the Mens and Womens events. Kenyan’s Moses Kibet took victory in a world class time of 2.08.56. The quality of the event was such that 5 men finished inside 2 hrs 11 mins.
Tatanya Arysova of Russia took the Women’s title in 2.26.12. First Irishwoman was Barbara Sanchez in 2.39.38.
Paul Hannon, a 41 year old from Keady, Co Armagh took the wheelchair race in a great time of 2:20.38 over Johnny Fulham. Over 13,000 marathon runners took the streets today in a record breaking year for the event all round.
Meanwhile there were another series of PB’S in the Great South Run in Southsea. Annadale’s Paddy Hamilton ran one of the Province’s fastest ever 10 mile times to finish 16th in 49 mins 46 secs. Clonliffe’s Mark Keneally was 7th in 48.12 followed by Gary Thornton in 48.22.
[Image- Joe McAlister provided by Keith McClure]A full list of results will be available after 5.30pm on the Dublin Marathon website.
View pre race interview with Joe McAlister on our Athletics NI YouTube Channel
