– New Official Race Record Time Set for Cork City Marathon –
Moldovian Sergiu Ciobanu won The 2011 Bord Gáis Energy Cork City Marathon today in a record time of 2:25:34, beating the official record he set last year for the marathon by 20 seconds.
Ciobanu of Clonliffe Harriers was the reigning champion, having won the Bord Gáis Energy Cork City Marathon last year in a then-record time of 2:25:54. He is also the reigning national marathon champion in Ireland.
The first woman over the line was Angela McCann of Clonmel AC who finished with a time of 2:53:31, beating last year’s time of of 2:54:41 set by Lucy Brennan.
The winner of the inaugural 2011 Bord Gáis Energy Cork City Half Marathon event was TJ McHugh of Mayo AC who recorded a time of 1:12:51. The ladies winner of the Half Marathon was Lizzie Lee of Leevale AC who recorded a time of 1:19:45.
The first relay team to complete the race was The River Gold Road Runners who recorded a finish time of 2:19:57. The team was made up of five runners including Alan O’Shea from Bantry, winner of the full marathon in 2007.
An estimated 8,500 people participated in this year’s Bord Gáis Energy Cork City Marathon with thousands more supporters lining the route to cheers on those taking part.
Irish athletics legend Sonia O’Sullivan also took part this year, doing the full marathon at a walk despite an injured calf.
Sonia said, “Cork is one of my favourite places in the world to run. I was delighted to take part this year along with those who signed up to run with Team Sonia to raise funds for the Children’s Leukaemia Association, which supports and assists families during the course of their child’s treatment at the Mercy Hospital, Cork. The atmosphere on the course was extraordinary, a huge buzz. Thanks to everyone for coming out. My congrats to Sergiu and to Angela on coming first in the men’s and women’s marathon.”
First five men over the finish line:
1. Sergiu Ciobana, Clonliffe Harriers, 2:25:34
2. Alan Foolkes, Leevale AC, 2:31:03
3. Colin Merrit, Carrig na bhFear, 2:31:59
4. Wieslaw Sosnowski, Eagle AC, 2:32:47
5. Lorcan Cronin, Clonliffe Harriers AC, 2:33:36
First five women over the finish line:
1. Angela McCann, Clonmel AC, 2:53:31
2. Mary Scully, Mullingar, 2:57:15
3. Anne Curley, Donore Harriers, 2:57:38
4. Mary O’Leary, FC Perlach, 2:59:16
5. Ann Marie Holland, Eagle AC, 3:02:40
First Five – Men’s Half Marathon Event
1. TJ McHugh, Mayo AC, 1:12:51
2. John Meade, St Finbarre’s AC, 1:14:10
3. Brian Hegarty, Leevale AC, 1:15:25
4. James Cosgrave, St Finbarre’s AC, 1:16:39
5. Sho Tanaka, Cork, 1:17:09
First Five – Women’s Half Marathon Event
1. Lizzie Lee, Leevale AC, 1:19:45
2. Claire Gibbons-McCarthy, Ballinhassig, 1:20:48
Winners and runners up – Relay Team Event
1. The River Gold Road Runners, 2:19:57
2. Leevale A, 2:23:42
3. Mahers Sports, 2:24:48
Also taking part today was Tim Lucey, Cork City Manager, who runs with Bandon AC, who finished in a superb time of 3:01:03.
The 26.2 mile route winded around the four points of Cork from North to South, East to West to include Blackpool, Jack Lynch Tunnel, Blackrock, Bishopstown and The Lough before looping back to the finish line on St Patrick’s Street. The Half Marathon started on Skehard Road and winded around the Marina before joining up with the full marathon at the 15-mile point at the Marina.
Jim O’Donovan, Race Director, said the 2011 Bord Gais Energy Cork City Marathon was a triumph, “the conditions today were perfect, the weather was bright but cool which the runners were delighted with. This is the 5th Bord Gais Energy Cork City Marathon and the response this year was fantastic with 8,500 people taking part, including 1,200 people taking part in the inaugural Half Marathon event. I’d like to congratulate all those who took part and special thanks also to the 600 volunteers including the Gardaí, the Defence Forces, the HSE, the Emergency Services, Athletics and Sports Clubs – this event could not take place without their help so huge thanks to them.”
Ger Cunningham, Sports Sponsorship Manager of Bord Gáis Energy said: “This is our third year as title sponsor of the Marathon and I’d like to congratulate Sergiu and Angela and of course all the relay runners who have raised an estimated €3m for charity this year. With 8,500 people taking part in this year’s Bord Gais Energy Cork City Marathon, the atmosphere was electric at the start and finish lines and right along the 26.2-mile route. The addition of the Half Marathon this year is evidence that the event is going from strength to strength. I’d like to extend our thanks to all the volunteers and everyone who helped make this year’s event so successful.”
The ‘marathon for everyone’ saw individuals of all levels participate – from first timers runners, joggers, walkers and athletes running in the full marathon, half marathon or relay team event. Up to €3 million was raised for charity by those participating in this year’s Bord Gáis Energy Cork City Marathon.
The entire route was lined by thousands more friends and family of the competitors and local Cork people enthusiastically cheering and encouraging participants to the finish line.
For further information please contact Aideen McGrath at H+A Marketing + PR at 087-9273698 or email amcgrath@hagroup.ie