O'Sullivan wins Great Ireland run

Sonia O’Sullivan completed her racing preparation for the New York City marathon with a convincing win over five miles in the Great Ireland run in County Galway today.

O’Sullivan recorded 25 minutes 30 seconds to win in Loughrea by a huge margin of 86 seconds from fellow Irish woman Pauline Curley, with England’s Sharon Morris third in 27:07.

With exactly three weeks until O’Sullivan’s serious marathon debut in New York, the Irish woman could not be happier with her form.

Her last three races has seen her set a European record over five kilometres on the road, a world record of 10 miles on the road, and the world leading time for the year over a half-marathon.

Such is her confidence that the day before the Great Ireland run she endured a two-and-a half-hour training run without fear of it affecting her results in Loughrea.

She said after today’s success: “I couldn’t be happier with how preparing for this marathon has gone.

“I’m really looking forward to the marathon with a feeling that it is all going to come together in the best possible way on the day.”

Ireland also dominated the men’s race with Seamus Power winning in 23:31 from fellow Irishman Noel Berkeley (23:33) and Scotland’s Andy Cane (23:36).

The event also involved a team competition, which was also won by Ireland, with England and Scotland second and third respectively.

O’Sullivan will leave for the USA on October 23 and complete her training preparations in Philadelphia before moving to New York five days before the marathon.