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.

The Corkman was just finding his way back after a summer of prolonged injury when he finished runner-up to Noad in Galway. After that he won the Cork Half Marathon in what was his first step towards a marathon debut next spring.

Seamus Power will be making his turn to the front line after taking a breather following the European championships. He has his sights on the cross-country but is always a formidable opponent on the road and Andy Caine from Scotland adds an extra dimension to this contest.

There are cash prizes for the first eight men and women finishers and the race will be broadcast nationally on TV3 and internationally by Sky Sports.

Commenting on Bord Fáilte’s sponsorship of the Great Ireland Run Minister for Sport, Tourism and the Arts John O’Donoghue, said he was delighted that Bord Fáilte was supporting the event.

“The Loughrea race has a treasured place in Irish athletics history and I am confident the annual Great Ireland Run will develop into another major sports tourism attraction for Ireland.

“The international television coverage secured will highlight the merits of the west of Ireland and the town of Loughrea in particular, as a holiday destination,” he said.

“The provision of sponsorship for international sports events, such as the Great Ireland Run, is in keeping with the objective of Bord Fáilte’s International Sports Tourism Initiative, introduced by the Irish Government.”

Meanwhile, details of the runners for the Dublin Marathon on Bank Holiday Monday were announced yesterday with last year’s winner, Zacharia Mpolokeng of South Africa back to defend his title.

He ran a personal best to win last year in a time of 2:14:03 which was the fastest time in Dublin in 16 years and just outside the course record.

And it was the closest finish in 21 years as he sprinted the final 50 metres to overtake Gion Van Geyte of Belgium and win by just four seconds.

Van Geyte will also return to contest this year’s race.

The field will also include the 1999 winner, John Mutai and another promising Kenyan newcomer, Philip Kipsang Rugut who will be making his marathon debut.

Rugut has run 60 minutes for the half marathon on four occasions over the past three years.

The list also includes Wilson Cheruiyot who has won the Belfast and Glasgow marathons, Brian Zondi and Bonisile Ngculana of South Africa and Mohammed El Hattab of Morocco.

Chris Berbeeck who won the Belgian championship this year and

Eduard Tukhbatullin of Russia who has a best of 2:12:07 are also included.