Marathon debut delight for African athlete

An Ethiopian man fought off competition from more than 12,000 other runners today to scoop gold in the Dublin City Marathon.

Feyisa Lilesa came home in a time of two hours, nine minutes and 12 seconds - just five seconds off the course record.

The athlete, who was making his debut in the event, admitted it had been a challenging win.

“I’m very happy and surprised. It was very tough with the wind,” he added.

Ukrainian Kateryna Stetsenko took the top spot in the women’s event, crossing the line in 2:32:45.

Irish-based athletes also fared well, with Sergiu Ciobanu and Annette Kealy taking the top national positions in the men and women’s section.

Moldovan-born Ciobanu trains with north Dublin club the Clonliffe Harriers and works in a meat factory in Cahir, Co Tipperary.

“I haven’t asked my boss for a day off tomorrow but I think I deserve it - I’ll come back in on Wednesday,” he said.

And there was double cause for celebration for William Fry, who proposed to his fiancee Rachel Masterson after they both crossed the finish line.

“I was elated to have done the marathon and then very nervous and now doubly elated that she’s said yes,” the pub landlord from Stamford, Lincolnshire said.

“I don’t know whether it’s the running or the proposal but I’m very shaky – I think we need to go and have a few drinks now.”

Thousands of spectators lined the capital’s streets to enjoy the sunny weather and cheer on the 12,750 participating runners.

Among the crowd was Jackiey Budden, mother of the late Jade Goody.

Ms Budden had come to support four of her daughter’s bridesmaids who were running after raising more than £5,000 for Marie Curie Cancer Care.

“Jade ran the London Marathon, she did 22 miles out of 26 and then collapsed,” her mother said.

“No training and eating too much, that was her problem. But the girls have seriously trained for this.”

“Jade would be so proud of them to know that they stepped in and did it for her,” she added.

Overall, more than €10m was raised for charity by participators in the marathon – now celebrating its 30th year.

The first Dublin Marathon was held back in 1980, when just 1,420 people crossed the line from an entry of 2,100.