Breege Connolly secured her second win of the KBC Race Series today, crossing the line in the Frank Duffy 10 Mile at the Phoenix Park in 58:30. The City of Derry Spartans athlete also won the South Dublin 10k in July. Second place, Gemma Rankin of Scotland was over a minute behind with 59:55 with Star of Luane AC’s Niamh Clifford third with 1:02.21. Connolly said after the race: “I am delighted with the win. I would have liked to have gone quicker, but I found the second half of the course very hard going. I started a training block three weeks ago working towards running the Dublin Marathon in October, so I hope to get fitter and stronger each week.”
In the men’s field, Yared Derese crossed the line in 49.06, the fastest winning time in seven years. The Carrick Aces AC man has been in good form of late having also recently won the National Half Marathon. Derese said: “I am pleased and excited to have secured another win. My decision today was to break away from the field early as I know Mick is a strong guy, and I think this tactic worked for me.” Mick Clohisey of Raheny AC finished second in 49.36. Swansea’s Josh Griffith third in 50.11.
Over 5,200 runners lined up in the Phoenix Park in warm, humid conditions to take on the classic 10 Mile distance. Next in the series is the KBC Dublin Half Marathon will take place on Saturday 21 September. The sold-out 2019 Dublin Marathon, which is celebrating its 40th Anniversary with KBC, has a record entry of 22,500 will take place on Sunday 27 October.