Pictures: Medieval Marathon events in Kilkenny draw huge crowds

Kilkenny provided the backdrop for Ireland’s annual Medieval Marathon on Saturday. The run is a multi-distance event, offering competitors four different race options - 10km, half marathon, 30km and full marathon.

The start times varied throughout the morning where participants of the half, 30km and full started at the famous Thosel, while the 10km runners set off from St Francis Bridge. The route took in some of the city’s most famous historic sites before winding out the Callan road for the quaint countryside views. The finish line is set up at the Carnegie Library in the heart of the city.

The event has gained a great reputation for being a well-organised, scenic and community-spirited race. For those serious runners chasing marathon times or setting personal bests (PBs) in the 10km, to those running the half and 30km in preparation for the marathon in Dublin at the end of October, there was something on offer for everyone.
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The variety in options is certainly one of the main attracting points and it shows as the numbers participating are growing year on year. This year 1,418 runners crossed the finish line, where excited supporters gathered to cheer on everyone.
The half marathon and 10km seemed to be the most favoured events with 511 finishers in the half marathon and 453 finishers in the 10km. The ratio of male to female also looks notable, as this year there was very little between the genders (715 male, 691 female).

The 10km was the last event to set off from Francis Bridge at 10am. The first runner home was Martin Desgrandchamps of Gowran, who claimed the top spot in the men’s 10km in 35:09. The next runner, Evan O’Neill, finished over two minutes later in 37:42. Dylan McLaughlin took third place in 37:57.

In the women’s 10km Sandra Young took first place in 43:00, with Jill Kavanagh of Kilkenny City Harriers (KCH) second woman home in 45:45. Niamh Brennan finished closely behind in 45:59 to claim third place.

The half marathon set off at 9.20am and saw the finishers coming in among a surge of the 10km runners, their bib colour being the distinction for the supporters to recognise. The finishers of the half marathon were spread out more evenly with David Mahan first in 1:10:44, Nathan Ryan O’Hehir second in 1:12:51 and Daniel McCarthy third in 1:17:04. The women’s half marathon was won by Holly Brennan in 1:27:25, with Bailey Wu second and Mary Curley third.

In the 30km race there was a fantastic finish for KCH’s Jane Campbell as she took home second female behind Orla Tooher (2:20:07). Jane completed the 30km in 2:21:11, a full five minutes ahead of the third female home Katie Lyne Hickey, who finished in 2:26:17.

There was also success for Castlecomer’s Patrick Brennan when he secured third place in the Men’s 30km, finishing in an impressive 2:04:39. The first male home was Thomas Moran in 2:03:56 with David Browne following closely behind 25 seconds later to claim second spot in 2:04:39.

The Full Marathon also set out from High Street at the Tholsel but with the earlier start of 8.30am. Stephanie Slevin was the first female home in 3:20:20, with Julie Anne Ryan second in a time of 3:27:01. The third place finisher was Faye Bohan in a time of 3:29:46.

The men’s full marathon saw all top three spots filled by sub three-hour marathoners. Liam Dunne took the top spot in 2:50:21, Daniusz Bemben was second in 2:53:27, with Sean Mullan third in 2:57:54.
The Medieval Marathon has once again carved out a strong niche as a well-organised event with a great supportive network between the organisers, volunteers, An Garda Siochana Kilkenny and the Kilkenny Civil Defence working tirelessly to host such a great event. Vincent Guthrie, his wife Catherine and all of the event committee can celebrate another hugely successful event that puts Kilkenny City on the running map for a weekend each September.

Kilkenny athletes who took part on the day were:
10km - Martin Desgrandchamps (Gowran), Gerry Walsh (Gowran), David Devine (KCH), Jill Kavanagh (KCH), Katie Matthews (KCH), Robyn McDonald (KCH), Sarah Corcoran (KCH), Rita McGarvey (KCH), Miguel Ponce De Leon (St Senan’s), Gretta Beckett (KCH), Kevin O’Connell (Gowran), Patrick Doody (St Senan’s), Clodagh Monaghan (St Senan’s), Giollaiosa Ni Mhaonaigh (Gowran), Eamonn Kelsey (Gowran), Gerald Costello (Gowran), James Delahunty (Gowran), Pat Lennon (Gowran), Pat Hayden (Gowran), Lorna Monaghan (St Senan’s), Aisling Burns (KCH), Aoife Phelan (Castlecomer).
Half Marathon - Kyran O’Sullivan (Gowran), Derek Kehoe (Gowran), Bill Lahart (Gowran), Paul Flood (Gowran), David Lanigan (St Joseph’s), Keith Coady (St Senan’s), Monica Freiband O’Reilly (Gowran), Colum Sheridan (St Senan’s), Marie Sheridan (St Senan’s), Celia Monaghan (St Senan’s), Orla Cooper (St Senan’s), Anthony Ryan (St Senan’s), Emma Staunton (KCH), Mags Clancy (KCH), Aidan Clancy (KCH), Neil Gunning (KCH), James Murphy (KCH), Niamh Donnellan (Graigue-Ballycallan), Norah Deacon (Graigue-Ballycallan).
30km - Patrick Brennan (Castlecomer), Jane Campbell (KCH), Rory Conlon (KCH), Elaine Gamble (Nuenna), Matt Ryan (Gowran), Michael Murphy (St Senan’s), Joanne Quinn (St Senan’s), Breda Hennessy (St Joseph’s), Pierce Cooney (KCH), Rosie Alcorn (KCH), Orla O’Gorman (KCH).
Marathon - John Walsh (St Senan’s - 4:15 pacer on the day), Simon Maher (Gowran), Anita Barry (St Joseph’s), Tom McDonald (St Joseph’s).