There was no shortage of star quality on display at Sunday’s 2022 Regeneron Great Limerick Run Marathon, Half Marathon, and Six Mile races.
Around 15,000 people took part across the three distances with thousands more lining the streets to support the athletes.
The race has had a remarkable impact on the people of the city with a Limerick City Council report finding that for 49% of respondents the main reason they started exercising was the Great Limerick Run.
The Marathon was the feature event of the day, kicking off at 9am from People’s Park and finishing on the city’s iconic Henry Street.
Sergiu Ciobanu, who won the National Marathon Championship most recently in 2016, was one of star athlete taking on the 26.2-mile challenge. The Clonliffe Harriers athlete cruised to victory crossing the line in 2.21.20.
Another big name on the national scene Sean Hehir of Metro St. Brigid’s AC. Hehir has been in good form lately and ran a solid time of 2.26.30 to finish in second. Ciobanu’s clubmate Tudor Moldovan was third in 2.29.01.
London 2012 Olympian Caitriona Jennings of Letterkenny AC was the first woman home in a time of 2.41.07. The Donegal athlete finished well ahead of the Galway City Harriers duo of second placed Neasa De Burca (2.58.43) and third placed Siobhan Lee (2.59.43).
The Half-Marathon was won by Peter Somba of Dunboyne AC. Somba’s winning time was 1.04.37. Not too far behind was East Cork’s Tim O’Donoghue in 1.05.04. Leevale AC’s Conor McCauley was third in 1.08.22.
Courtney Maguire was the first woman across the line in 1.20.45, with Siobhan O’Doherty of Borrisokane AC less than thirty seconds behind in 1.21.09. Catherine Thornton of Crusaders AC was third in 1.21.47.
The shortest distance of the day was the six-mile race, just short of 10k. Ennis Track AC’s Jose Ignacio Gimenez Perez had nearly a minute to spare on the second placed athlete in the race, winning comfortably in a time of 29.32. Niall Shanahan was second in 30.29, with Jason Fahy following behind in 30.45.
Jessica Coyne of Leevale AC was the first female athlete, the Cork woman clocked an impressive 35.19 for the distance. Ciara Peelo of Clonliffe Harriers was second running 40.29, while clubmate Clodagh Galvin was third in 40.33.
The celebrations continued afterwards in the People’s Park with athletes soaking up the brilliant atmosphere. Credit is due to the organisers of what is the biggest outdoor participation event in the county outside of in Dublin, they did an excellent job at managing three great races.
