6 June 2016
By Bryan T. Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
With almost 10,000 participants running (Monday), the Irish Examiner Cork City Marathon 2016 celebrated ten years of marathon running in Cork city. It was a record-breaking event when Damien Coleman from Blackrock GAA Club beat the previously set Guinness World Record, by running a marathon while soloing with a hurley and sliotar for the entire race in 4 hours and 28 minutes. Damien had to beat the previous record of 6 hours and was running for Cork Simon Community and Blackrock GAA Club, fondly known as “the Rockies”.
80 year olds Joe and Kay O’Regan from Enniscourty finishing the Cork City Marathon hand in hand 30 year after their first marathon together at the Cork City Marathon.
This is the 10th Cork City Marathon and record numbers are expected. Pic: Darragh Kane.
The winner of the Cork City Marathon 2016 was Philip Harty who completed the 26.2 mile course in 2 hours and 32 minutes and 59 seconds. The female winner of Cork City Marathon 2016 was Nollaigh O’Neill who crossed the finish line after 3 hours and 41 seconds.
The Cork City Half Marathon 2016 was won by Peter Somba in a time of 1 hour, 11 minutes and 20 seconds with Sergio Ciobanu coming in second place. Aoife Cooke from Youghal was the first female to finish the Half Marathon in a time of 1 hour, 25 minutes and 29 seconds. The 2016 Relay winners were the Leevale Athletics Club who crossed the line after 2 hours and 23 minutes.
Speaking at the finish line of the Cork City Marathon 2016, Race Director Jim O’Donovan said, “Congratulations all the winners of the Irish Examiner Cork City Marathon and to each and everyone that crossed the finish line. It’s a huge achievement, and particular thanks to those who ran for charity raising significant funds for a variety of great causes.”
Among the incredible achievements recorded at the Cork City Marathon were 80 year old couple from Wexford, Joe and Kay O’Regan who crossed the line hand in hand after 5 hours, 25 minutes.
Now in its tenth year, the Cork City Marathon is an internationally recognised marathon, with certification from the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). Cork City Marathon is a City Council promoted event in partnership with Athletics Ireland, Cork Business Houses Athletics Association (BHAA), An Garda Siochana, Cork Education & Training Board, Voluntary First Aid & Medical bodies such as St. Johns Ambulance, Irish Red Cross, Order of Malta, Cork Fire Services and Civil Defence as well as local groups and communities.
Amost 10,000 people took part in the Cork City Marathon this year ensuring it’s place as one of the major events in the Irish sporting calendar. The Cork City Marathon has been recognised for its inclusivity, ensuring that young and old and those with varying degrees of challenges are included in the marathon and each year the event attracts many international and national entrants.
Alex O’Shea, who broke the Guinness World Record in 2014 when he ran the Cork City Marathon in full fire fighting attire, finished the marathon in eleventh place today with a time of 2 hours, 48 minutes and 59 seconds.
Prizes were presented to a number of relay teams as well as the half marathon runners, including weekend breaks sponsored by the River Lee Hotel.
