Bekele tops bill in star-studded line-up

The tenth SPAR Great Ireland Run and SPAR Mini and Junior Great Ireland Runs should create a special atmosphere in the Phoenix Park in Dublin tomorrow as over 11,000 adults and children enjoy a family day out.

Kenenisa Bekele from Ethiopia, the reigning double Olympic champion at 5,000 and 10,000 metres, and world record holder at both distances, will open his campaign before defending his titles in London.

Bekele should be strongly challenged by defending champion, Jesus Espana from Spain and will be joined by his compatriot and European cross-country silver medallist Ayad Lamdassem.

Also in the field are European 10,000 metre bronze medallist, Daniele Meucci from Italy and Britain’s Nick McCormick. Mark Keneally of Clonliffe Harriers will lead the home challenge and will also start as favourite to win the national championship incorporated in this event.

National inter-clubs cross-country champion, Eddie McGinley of Annadale Striders should also be among the early leaders.

Mark Kenneally (Clonliffe Harriers), who has achieved the Olympic marathon A qualifying standard will be making a return to competition after a period of small but niggling injuries.

The elite women’s field in the 10K race will feature Charlotte Purdue and Gemma Steel from Britain who finished first and second respectively last year.

They will be challenged by Aniko Kalovics from Hungary, Christelle Daunay from France and Ireland’s Olympic marathon qualifiers Linda Byrne and Ava Hutchinson from Dundrum South Dublin AC.

Linda Byrne was present at yesterday’s press conference and the DSD athlete is also looking forward to a big performance. “I have been training well and I have turned in some encouraging performances since winning the national marathon title in last year’s Dublin Marathon,” said Byrne, who has already achieved the Olympic A marathon qualifying standard for London.

This year’s Great Ireland Run incorporates the Woodie’s DIY National 10K road championships under the auspices of Athletics Ireland and a number of leading club runners will be aiming for fast times and personal bests.

The Run starts at 1:15pm and will be preceded by the SPAR Junior- Run at 11:15 and the SPAR Mini- Run at 11:30 over a distance of 2.5K.