20,000 runners took to the street of the capital for the 39th SSE Airtricity Dublin marathon today in ideal running conditions. Lizzie Lee mixed it with the elite internationals to make it onto the women’s overall podium, finishing an outright third after a beautifully executed effort, her time of 2:35:03 the fastest by an Irish woman in Dublin since 2014. This also won her the Irish national title. Ethiopia’s Mesera Dubiso winning in 2:33:49 followed by her country woman Motu Gedefa in second in 2:34:22.
Lizzie Lee was an ecstatic and emotional winner of the national title as she embraced her coach Donie Walsh at the finish.
This capped a great year in the capital for Lizzie who won the women’s mini marathon for the first time this year and now add her first national marathon title to boot.
“It’s so good to win in Dublin,” said Lee gleefully. “It’s a brilliant course with brilliant support all the way around. I really wanted to win the national title.”
Jill Hodgins also ran a super race to finish third in the national event in 2:47:53.
It was extra delight for the Leevale athletes winning the women’s team title with Nollaigh O’Neill 34th in the overall women’s standings (2nd F45 category) in 3:02:10 and Fionnuala Desmond finished 68th over all (4th in F50 category) in 3:12:06.
