THERE WAS A festival feel about Waterford this weekend as over 2,000 runners of varying abilities hit the tarmac for the fourth Viking Marathon.
The main event was the full Marathon which was contested on the road to Tramore before a big finish at the RSC track.
First across the line in the full distance was Sliabh Buidhe Rovers’ Tom Hogan who finished in 2.33.12 after opening a gap between him and his challengers in Tramore.
The Women’s Marathon medal was taken by Olympian Pauline Curley in a time of 2.52.35. The Tullamore Harriers woman represented Ireland at Beijing 2008.
The was about more than elite athletes though as families and fun-runners got in on the act.
The quarter marathon distance was won by Bantry AC’s Alan O’Shea in 34.04 while Sandra Fitzpatrick from Ballyroan, Abbeyleix and District AC battled to victory in the women’s race in a time of 46.49.
The half Marathon was also set over five miles of Waterford’s ancient streets, and Raheny AC’s Freddie Sittuk took gold in 1.10.45 with Youghal AC’s Ann Marie Holland winning in 1.23.42.
Tommy Brady from Co.Cavan will enter the Guinness Book of Records after completing the Marathon in 3 hrs 17min dressed as a bottle.
All images courtesy of Noel Brown and Garret Fitzgerald.
