The sunshine came out for the first ever Sunday SSE Airtricity Dublin Marathon as 19,500 pounded the streets of the capital today, writes Cóilín Duffy in Dublin.
The record number of entries ensured the event has become the fourth biggest marathon in Europe.
Ethiopian Dereje Tulu was crowned the 2016 SSE Airtricity Dublin Marathon Champion.
The Addis Ababa native finished the 26.2 miles course in a time of 2:12:18, two minutes and 20 seconds ahead of fellow countryman Dereje Beyecha.
“Today was a great day. It was good for me to be number one,” Tulu said. “It was a good run today. I am very happy.”
Tulu led from the third mile until the end.
Sergiu Ciobanu was the first Irish man over the line in two hours, 17 minutes and 40 seconds.
The Tipperary resident was happy with his race, after missing out on selection for the Olympics this year.
“I came here to run, and I knew I was due a good time,” he said. “Of course the pressure was on and people were probably expecting me to prove I can run a marathon, so yes it was tough.”
Namibia’s Helalia Johannes took the Womens title in 2:32:32 – just one second ahead of Ehite Bizuauyehu Gebrieyes.
“I really enjoyed the race, and thank God I won the event,” Johannes said. “This country is a beautiful country, people from Dublin really like people and thanks why I really love to come here.”
It was Johannes’ second time to win, having previously finished first in 2011.
Down’s Laura Graham was the first Irish Women home in a time of 2:41:54. Graham also won the Fingal 10K in Swords in July.
Naasman Patrick Monahan took his third Wheelchair title in a row, in a time of 1:39:19.
Meanwhile, there was a security concern at the start of the race, after a motorbike was left unattended.
A parked BMW motorbike was parked just past the start of the race on Fitzwilliam Street.
The 19,500 participants had to avoid the motorbike after the race commenced, before it was subsequently cordoned off by stewards.
