SERGIU CIOBANU (Clonliffe Harriers) battled his way through incessant wind and rain to claim victory in yesterday’s Bord Gáis Energy Cork City Marathon setting a course record at 2:25.54.

DESPITE less than ideal weather conditions a grand total of 50,000 runners and walkers took part in yesterday’s bank holiday marathons in Cork and Dublin which raised millions of euro for charity.

Today's Bord Gáis Energy Cork City Marathon was won by Moldovian Sergiu Ciobanu in a time of 2:25:54.

MORE than 100 gardaí will be on duty to ensure today’s Bord Gáis Energy Cork City Marathon runs smoothly.

COLIN MERRITT (Carraig na bhFear AC) could go one better than last year if plans for Monday’s Bord Gáis Energy Cork City Marathon materialise.

IT was billed as the ‘marathon for everyone’ and it looked like everyone got their skates on – or at least their running shoes – for the Cork City Marathon.

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.

FOR some it was deadly serious, for others a bit of a laugh.

Almost 11,000 runners and walkers will pound the streets of the capital tomorrow for the Dublin Marathon.

VINNY MULVEY of Raheny Shamrocks raced to a comprehensive winning debut in the Ballycotton 10 yesterday as Ireland’s most popular road race entered a new dimension - with a record field of more than 3,000.