THE expression on his face as he powered his way up the home straight said it all as Drogheda athlete, Keith Kelly, buried 10 years of frustration at Santry Park yesterday by claiming the National senior cross-country title for the first time at the age of 31.

UKRAINE’S Andriy Naumov led home a record 11,700 runner entry yesterday in the Lifestyle Sports adidas Dublin Marathon — the 29th running of the event.

MARIA McCAMBRIDGE makes her marathon debut at the Lifestyle Sports-adidas Dublin City Marathon on Monday when her presence will add an air of excitement to the record entry of over 11,700 who will face the starter.

On his first return to competitive racing after some months out of action, Galwayman Mike O'Connor stormed to victory in the Lifestyle Sports-adidas Dublin Half-Marathon in the Phoenix Park.

ROY FAHY (East Cork) justified favouritism for yesterday’s Champion Sports Cork City Marathon and ensured the title remained at home with a 2:33:55 victory as Cork athletes filled the first three places in a field of 8,000 runners.

Keith Kelly and Pauline Kerley took top placings today in the annual adidas Irish Runner Challenge five mile race at the Phoenix Park.

IT wasn’t all Kenyans to the fore in the 24th edition of the Dublin City Marathon yesterday.

STEVE JONES enjoys celebrity status now those days and he will be found among the sponsors, promoters and VIPs at all the major marathons.

EXPERT advice from an Australian sports academy — one of the most advanced in the world was sought in the preparation of a new education programme now available to Irish sporting organisations.

MARTIN McCARTHY (Leevale) put years of frustration behind him in a devastating last lap that earned him his first national senior cross-country championship title at historic and picturesque Avondale where Anne Keenan-Buckley (North Laois) retained her women’s title in style.

Ireland’s biggest road race is finishing up after runners have started to return to Dublin city centre.