New Course Record For Cork City Marathon

-Kenyan Freddy Kearon crosses the finish line in record time of 2:22:11-

Cork City, Monday 4 June 2012: Freddy Kearon won the sixth annual Cork City Marathon today in a time of 2:22:11 beating the official Cork City Marathon record by over three minutes.  The Kenyan athlete, a first time competitor in Cork, is the first overseas winner of the Cork City Marathon.

It was one of the closest races in recent years and saw defending champion Sergui Ciobanu finishing in second place, running a personal best time of 2:22:55 – over 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.

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. Weather conditions were ideal for athletes, not to mention the thousands of spectators who lined the marathon route to cheer on this year’s participants.

The ‘marathon for everyone’ saw individuals of all levels participate – from first timers to professional athletes, with athletes running either the full marathon, half marathon or the relay event as part of a team of up to five people.

Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Terry Shannon, was on hand to offer words of encouragement to all those taking part. “The Cork City Marathon is one of the biggest occasions in Cork’s sporting and cultural calendar. Each year the marathon grows in strength and this year is no different. 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. I’m really looking forward to the day ahead, and can’t wait to see first hand the great support that the people of Cork are sure to deliver in their thousands.”

The Lord Mayor is competing in the team relay with a group of his fellow councillors.

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

Times for all athletes and further information on the marathon will be available on www.corkcitymarathon.ie