Ethiopia’s Kemal Husen stormed a new course record at the 2023 Irish Life Dublin Marathon this morning.
In his second ever marathon, the 20-year-old knocked over one minute off his personal best, crossing the line in a time of two hours six minutes and fifty-two seconds.
“I’m so happy. I didn’t expect to run this time” said Husen, having taken control of the race after 10 miles. The Ethopian suck right behind the pacemaker until 30km.
Husen finished nearly four minutes clear of Uganda’s Geofrey Kusuro (2:10:45) in second place. Irish record holder Stephen Scullion (2:11:51) sprinted to the line to claim third.
“That was a really good day’s work” declared Sullion. ”I’m really happy with it. When you’ve put in the work in the training you know that when it gets tough, it’s going to be ok.”
It was the Belfast man’s second national marathon title. Ryan Creech of Leevale was the second Irishman home (2:14:08), while Seattle based Ryan Forsyth of Newcastle and District AC won bronze (2:14:43) in his marathon debut.
Colin Griffin first local athlete home
Ballinamore’s Colin Griffin was the first athlete from the region home in 2:27.14. Taking third place in the Over-40 category.
Sorome Negash of Ethiopia was an impressive winner of the women’s race in two hours, twenty-six minutes and twenty-two seconds, just off the course record.
“I’m so happy. I want to thank Dublin Marathon for giving me this chance, thank you from the bottom of my heart,” said an overjoyed Negash.
Negash broke clear from a group of four athletes in the closing stages to win by over forty seconds. Joan Kipyatich of Kenya finished second (2:27.04), while Ethiopian Genet Abdurkadir clocked a personal best to cross the line in third.
Letterkenny's Ann-Marie McGlynn takes national title
Letterkenny’s Ann-Marie McGlynn took the women’s national title in two hours, thirty-four minutes and thirteen seconds. McGlynn was fifth female home.
“I had written on my hand ‘today is my day’ and I believed it all week” said the emotional 43-year-old.
“I knew I had a job to do regardless of who was in the race” added McGlynn. “Myself and Emmet (Dunleavy, coach) had a plan and it never changed. We done it.”
Gladys Ganiel of North Belfast Harriers, a lecturer at Queens University, won national silver (2:37:08) in a new over-45 women’s national record. While civil servant Sorcha Loughnane, representing Donore Harriers, claimed bronze (2:45:31).
Patrick Monahan won the wheelchair race taking his seventh Dublin Marathon title.
2023 Irish Life Dublin Marathon Results: Men: 1 K Husen (Ethiopia) 2:06:52, 2 G Kusuro (Uganda) 2:10:45, 3 S Scullion (Clonliffe Harriers AC) 2:11:51.
Women: 1 S Negash (Ethiopia) 2:26:22, 2 J Kipyatich (Kenya) 2:27:04, 3 G Abdurkadir (Ethiopia) 2:27:49
National championship Results: Men: 1. Stephen Scullion (Clonliffe Harriers AC) 2:11:51, 2. Ryan Creech (Leevale AC) 2:14:08, 3. Ryan Forsyth (Newcastle & District AC) 2:14:43.
Women: 1. Ann-Marie McGlynn (Letterkenny AC) 2:34:13, 2. Glayds Ganiel (North Belfast Harriers) 2:37:08, 3. Sorcha Loughnane (Donore Harriers AC) 2:45:31.
Despite the weather conditions, our participants are still flying over the finish line .. legends! 🥰 #IrishLifeDublinMarathon #PowerOfSupport pic.twitter.com/BpBGhXbPI4
— Irish Life Dublin Marathon (@dublinmarathon) October 29, 2023
