Runners Enjoying Last Year's Longford Marathon

One of the most keenly anticipated running events on the Irish Athletics Calendar takes place this weekend in Longford. The www.RunRepublic.ie sponsorred event will include a marathon and a half marathon option and looks set to be another huge success for the race organisers and sponsors. The Longford Marathon has grown greatly in stature over recent years becoming one of the premier road racing events in the nation. Both the quality and number of athletes entering has increased markedly in recent years.

In 2005 the first dozen men completed the full marathon course in less than three hours, quite something from only 169 male finishers in that event. In the women's race Irish road running superstar Lucy Brennan cruised to an impressive win covering the full marathon course in 2:45:11. In the half-marathon Martin Fagan, who recently finished 11th in the European 10,000m final, cruised to a smooth victory posting 1:06:38 and Pauline Curley took the women's half-marathon title with an equally impressive 1:16:52.

So, a feast of distance running talent is on offer to the spectator in Longford this weekend. Many Athenry AC athletes will be there as usual, both to spectate and to take part and we offer our sincere best wishes to the race organisers and sponsors www.RunRepublic.ie and Kanes Travel (www.kanestravel.ie) for a great weekend's racing.