A magnificent day for Mayo AC at Dublin City Marathon

First Mayo AC finisher John Higgins on course for a 2:39.52 personal best

Hearty congratulations to all our finishers in today’s 40th Dublin City Marathon incorporating the National Marathon Championships.

Congratulations too to those Mayo AC first-time marathoners and to many who ran a new personal best marathon time.

As the field assembled at Fitzwilliam Street North for four wave starts (8:45, 9:05, 9:25, 9:45) it was a chilly though sunny morning with a light northwesterly breeze and a temperature of 5°C at 9am rising to 9 or 10 later – excellent conditions.

The organisers reported a record 22,500 were registered and Mayo AC had a record squad of 73 runners competing.

The Dublin marathon is a major international event and the fifth largest in Europe The atmosphere generated by supporters and entertainers all along the course contributes to a wonderful experience for all.

John Higgins, our only senior man, was first of our wonderful squad home in a magnificent personal best 2:39.52 – five minutes faster than his 2:44.36 in Seville last February 2:44.36.

The M35 team were led home by a great run by Brendan Hession 2:51.24, over ten minutes faster than 2018. An additional brilliant six sub three finishes followed: Pat Morrison 2:55.17, John Gordon 2:55.18, Tony O’Malley 2:57.10, Michael Rocke 2:57.11, Mark Basquille, 2:58.37 and Tadgh Hanrahan 2:58.45.

The o50 men’s team of ten runners were led home by a fabulous effort by the top three: Stephen Skillington 3:25.43,Tom Jennings 3:29.23 and Padraic McVann 3:39.15.

Our first woman finisher was Colette Tuohy in her debut marathon – completing a new category W50 bucket list task – in an excellent time 3:07.12. She led our W35 team and was well supported by Catherine Conway returning to the Dublin marathon after a break of five years with a creditable 3:20:21 finish, and by another consistent run by Anne Marie Staunton in 3:29.44. The combined time of these three will be in contention for W35 team medals.

Paula Donnellan 3:31.15 was their fourth finisher in an excellent personal best over 25 minutes faster than 2018.

Marcella McDonnell was first of our women’s over 50 team across the finish line in Merrion Square in 4:12.43, followed by consistent W65 marathon championship medal winner Mary Murphy 4:23.15 who will be in the running for another championship medal, as will the team including their third finisher Caitlin Woods 4:32.32.

Good running too by our two senior women Sheelagh McDonnell 3:56.37, and Maria Kneafsey in a new pb 4:17.03.

Completing a marathon is a fantastic achievement – we’re very proud of every one of our finishers for their brilliant  individual and club team efforts.

Thanks to all – family, friends, members  and the general public – who gave fantastic support to Mayo AC at various points along the course.

We wish them all an enjoyable time over the rest of the holiday week-end and a good recovery to all who crossed the finish line and were rewarded with that coveted Dublin Marathon medal.

Congratulations to Hugh Armstrong (Ballina AC) who ran 2:14.22 –  a new Mayo record – in his debut marathon to finish in a brilliant third place in the Irish Championships and eighth overall. He’ll be in the running for a qualification place for Tokyo Olympics next summer.

We’ll follow up when Athletics Ireland publish the provisional Irish Marathon Championship results, update these finish times, and make amendments as necessary.

Mayo AC Dublin Marathon 2019 finishers:  all times listed are alphabetical and unofficial (TDL services).