Gemma Steel and Mark Christie win Great Ireland Run

Gemma Steel regained the Great Ireland Run title she won in 2015, while Mark Christie won the men’s race in Dublin on Sunday (April 9).

Clocking 34:15 for the 10km event, former European cross country champion Steel finished ahead of Jenny Spink with 34:24. Ireland’s Kerry O’Flaherty was third in 34:38 and claimed the national title.

“The Great Ireland Run 10k is a favourite of mine,” said Steel. “It was the Irish crowd that kept me going. I will certainly be back next year.”

Fionnuala McCormack had been a late withdrawal due to injury.

“Following professional medical advice that running would cause a risk of further injury, McCormack has made the difficult decision to pull out,” read a pre-race statement.

Christie claimed the men’s title in 29:30 to also gain the Irish title. Graham Rush was second with 29:41 ahead of Mick Clohisey with 29:44.

“The Great Ireland Run 10k is a challenging course so I’m delighted to have crossed the finish line first,” said Christie. “The atmosphere was electric and I’ll definitely be back to regain my title in 2018.”

Ireland won the Sean Kyle Cup in the international competition against England.

The men’s 5km event was won by Emmet O’Briain in 16:49 from Troy Scully, while the women’s race was won by Fiona Nelson in 21:35 from Martina Harney.

The Great Ireland Run has become one of Ireland’s most recognised sporting events and is a celebration of running, offering events from the 10km and 5km through to junior and mini runs for children.

Top 10km results:

Men’s 10km

1 MARK CHRISTIE 29:30
2 GRAHAM RUSH 29:41
3 MICK CLOHISEY 29:44
4 SERGIU CIOBANU 30:20
5 ALEX TEUTEN 30:31

Women’s 10km

1 GEMMA STEEL 34:15
2 JENNY SPINK 34:24
3 KERRY O’FLAHERTY 34:38
4 CLAIRE MCCARTHY 34:47
5 LAURA O’SHAUGHNESSY 35:04

Source: AW