There was more heartbreak and disappointment than celebration after this year’s Dublin Marathon. Alterations to the course map made the 35^th edition of the race tougher than in previous years. The long climb from Parkgate Street and up along the Chesterfield Avenue through the Phoenix Park made the first quarter of the race very demanding. There was also a strong head-wind to contend with at various stages of the route and the day was surprisingly humid. In such energy sapping conditions the performance of Andy Kinane (2.46.16) deserves special mention. Andy took 5 minutes of his previous best time and was the 62^nd overall finisher.

Elaine Verdon and Laura Murray also had excellent PBs, whilst Dave Wogan endured the pain of a long-term knee injury to complete the distance.

Club results in brief: –

62^nd / 30^th Andrew Kinane SEN (2.46.16) PB; 99^th / 19^th Sean Fox M35 (2.50.20); 104^th / 17^th Graham Hopkins M40 (2.51.00); 134^th / 29^th Patrick Moriarty M35 (2.52.51) PB; 590^th / 54^th Derek O’Neill M45 (3.10.43); 1147^th / 315^th Andrew Cusack M35 (3.22.59); 1204^th / 309^th Liam Hickey SEN (3.24.10); Karol Kelly SEN 2921^st / 742^nd(3.46.20); 3983^rd / 798^th Des Tremble M40 (3.56.08); 3695^th / 102^nd Elaine Verdon F35 (3.53.41) PB; 5223^rd /98^thLiz MacCurtain F45 (4.05.53); 5636^th / 299^th David Wogan M50 (4.09.46); 8233^rd / 643^rd Laura Murray SEN (4.35.38) PB; 8662^nd / 1473^rd Shane McAuley M40 (4.40.06)

Other results: – 1067^th / 121^st Stephen McCann (Lucy’s Dad) M45 (3.21.20) PB; 3557^th /723^rd Declan Raftery (Jack’s Dad) M40 (3.52.16)