Kenyan Kearon wins Cork City Marathon

Freddy Kearon has won the sixth annual Cork City Marathon today in a record time of 2:22:11.

He beat the official Cork City Marathon record by more than three minutes. The Kenyan athlete, a first-time competitor in Cork, is the first overseas winner of the Cork City Marathon.

Defending champion Sergui Ciobanu finished in second place, running a personal best time of 2:22:55 – more than two minutes faster than his winning time last year.

Huw Lobb was third in a time of 2:28:37.

The first Corkman home was Cillian O’Leary who finished fourth in his first-ever marathon. Cillian finished in a time of 2:29:52. Completing the top five was Brian Leahy in a time of 2:33:14.

The first relay team to complete the race was the West Waterford relay team who recorded a finish time of 2:21:30.

Clonmel athlete Angela McCann successfully defended her title in a time of 2:53:02. The mother of three shaved almost half a minute off the winning time she set in last year’s race.

Anne Curley of Donore Harriers finished in second place in a time of 2:54:35. Next home was Mary O'Leary in a time of 2:59:46, followed closely by Ann Marie Holland (2:59:54). Helen Leonard completed the top five in a time of 3:00:52.

The Cork City Marathon kicked off on St Patrick’s Street at 9am this morning with up to 8,000 athletes competing in the full marathon, half marathon and team relay.

The half marathon began on Skehard Road at 11am.

Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Terry Shannon is competing in the team relay with a group of his fellow councillors.

He said: "The Cork City Marathon is one of the biggest occasions in Cork’s sporting and cultural calendar...It really is a fantastic occasion that not only promotes Cork City as a vibrant and exciting place to visit, but also provides a welcome boost to the local economy by attracting visitors from near and far."

Cork City Marathon: Results

Men’s marathon:

1. Freddy Kearon, Kenya, 2:22:12

2. Sergui Ciobanu, 2:22:54

3. Huw Lobb, 2:28:38

4. Cillian O'Leary, 2:29:52

5. Brian Leahy, 2:33:14