SOME 8,500 participants were on board for yesterday’s Bord Gáis Energy Cork city marathon, raising more than €3 million for charity. Thousands more also lined the route of the race to cheer them on.
It was a marathon with a difference for John Broderick (28), of Currow, Killarney who proposed at the finish line to his girlfriend of seven years, Sandra Russell.
After running the full 26.2 miles, John dropped to one knee within yards of the finish line and whipped out the engagement ring he had carried with him.
Sandra (30), who is from Killorglin, Co Kerry didn’t hesitate for a second before saying “Yes”. John, who had planned the special proposal since January, said his proposal was “well overdue”.
“This was Sandra’s first marathon. I’m so proud of her for finishing, and I wanted to give her the perfect end to a perfect marathon for both of us. I’m looking forward to running plenty more marathons with my wife-to-be.”
Sergiu Ciobanu of Dublin’s Clonliffe Harriers won his second Cork marathon in a row, beating his previous time by 20 seconds.
A native of Moldova who moved to Ireland four years ago, Sergiu crossed the line in a time of 2:25:34, setting a course record. The first man ever to achieve back-to-back wins in the Cork marathon said he was pleased with his run, particularly as he has been struggling with flu in recent weeks.
The first woman across the line of the 26.2 mile marathon was Angela McCann from Clonmel, Co Tipperary. She recorded a time of 2:53:33, her personal best on the course, having come in six minutes later last year.
The Clonmel AC runner who has competed in six marathons said conditions were perfect.
“It wasn’t windy or raining today and it wasn’t too hot either, so it was perfect. About mile 20 I started to struggle. There was a bit of a hill. Once I got to mile 22 it was plain sailing all the way home. I am delighted.”
Among the participants in the race were 18 women taking part to help raise funds for a friend who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease last year.
Emma Miller Fitzpatrick (43) needs round-the-clock care at her home in Kinsale, Co Cork. Emma cannot speak very well and uses an iPad to communicate with her two young children.
The winner of the inaugural 2011 Bord Gáis Energy Cork city half marathon event was TJ McHugh of Mayo AC, who recorded a time of 1:12:51. The ladies winner of the half marathon was Lizzie Lee of Leevale AC, who recorded a time of 1:19:45. The first relay team to complete the race was the River Gold Road Runners, who recorded a finish time of 2:19:57. The team had five runners including Alan O’Shea from Bantry, winner of the full marathon in 2007.
Bishop of Cork and Ross Dr John Buckley and Olympic silver medallist Sonia O’Sullivan greeted the runners prior to the race and wished them luck.
Sonia said she was delighted to take part this year with those who signed up to run with Team Sonia to raise funds for the Children’s Leukaemia Association, which supports families during the course of their child’s treatment at the Mercy Hospital, Cork. “This was my first full marathon in a decade and I enjoyed myself hugely. The atmosphere on the course was extraordinary, a huge buzz,” she said.
Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Michael O’Connell, said he was very pleased with the planning of the marathon. “It is a fantastic event. There is great organisation involved.”
Jim O’Donovan, race director, said the “marathon for everyone” saw individuals of all levels participate.