Naumov and Zousko strike gold

Andriy Naumov of the Ukraine has won the Dublin Marathon in a time of 2:11:06 as a record field of some 11,700 people took to…

Andriy Naumov of the Ukraine has won the Dublin Marathon in a time of 2:11:06 as a record field of some 11,700 people took to the streets of the capital this morning. Larissa Zousko from Russia won the women's event with a time of 2:29:55. She finished second last year.

The event started at 8.50am with the wheelchair entrants, followed by the elite and then the general field at 9am amid cold but sunny conditions.

There was a major increase in Irish runners in this year's event. Over recent years over half the field has come from overseas, but Irish runners make up 57 per cent of this year's entrants. More women than ever ran this year's race, with women making up one-third of the field.

To ensure that the event runs smoothly, 800 stewards are on duty along the 26.2-mile route.

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Traffic diversions are in place with major restrictions on Merrion Square, Nassau Street and St Stephen's Green. The race starts on Fitzwilliam Square East and finishes on Merrion Square West.

Also among those doing the marathon are Tyrone's Peter Canavan and Galway hurler Alan Kerins, in addition to Mary Hickey Nolan, the only woman to have run in all Dublin marathons to date with this being her 29th race.

Lord Iveagh, Arthur Edward Guinness, is running the marathon dressed as the famous Guinness toucan to raise funds for the charitable Iveagh Trust.

Elsewhere, Limerick man Simon Baker is attempting to set a new world record for the fastest marathon on crutches. He lost his right leg below the knee four years ago and when his prosthetic limb got damaged during training he decided to do the marathon on crutches.

The late Noel Carroll, co-founder of the Dublin marathon, will be remembered as his children Noel, Stephen, Nicola and Enda run the race to mark the 10th anniversary of his death. They will also be raising funds for Goal's Noel Carroll Building in Calcutta.

Jason Michael

Jason Michael

Jason Michael is a journalist with The Irish Times

Alison Healy

Alison Healy

Alison Healy is a contributor to The Irish Times