Sonia the star attraction at Loughrea

SONIA O’SULLIVAN will be the star attraction in Loughrea tomorrow when the Great Ireland Run - a five mile road race - will be sponsored by Bord Fáilte’s International Sports Tourism Initiative and will attract 1,000 runners, joggers and fun runners from Ireland and overseas.

Following her spectacular victory in the Great North Run last weekend, this will be her final race before the New York Marathon on November 3. She will travel to Villanova to complete her marathon preparations in the lead up to that event.

While the spotlight may be on the women’s race the men’s race will feature some of the country’s top athletes and there will be an interesting contest between Martin McCarthy (Leevale) and British international, Ben Noad.