The annual WLR Waterford Viking Marathon as well as the half and quarter marathons were held in beautiful weather on Saturday last over a new course and they had a record entry in excess of 3000 people visitors from all corners of the globe, Argentina, Hawaii, India, Canada, Egypt, the US and all over Europe.
Taking in both Rice Bridge and the Thomas Francis Meagher Bridge as well as a portion of the Waterford Greenway and parts of the inner city as well as the outskirts it was a huge logistical undertaking with the Gardaí and very many bodies and Voluntary Organisations and volunteers involved.
On the competitive side the Marathon was won by Raviz Zakis West Waterford a man very well known on the racing circuit in 2 hrs 37 minutes and 20 seconds, Tom Hogan Sliabh Bhui Rovers Wexford was second in 2.41.56 and Liam Tracey Watergrasshill was third in 2.55.12. First lady home in fourth place overall was Olympian Pauline Curley Tullamore, her fifth year in succession to win the race, her time was 2.52.59, Dolores Duffy Watergrasshill was second in 3.17.30 and Lena Sinclair Liffey Valley was third in 3.22.37. In the Half Marathon there were two local victories with Trevor Power Waterford first man home in 1.13.02 and Ruth Fitzgerald first in the ladies in 1.24.17. and in the quarter in the ladies Sinéad Brannigan Waterford was first home in 46.13 with Emma Leahy second in 46.42 and in the men’s Noel Murphy Waterford was second in 36.53 and Ruari O’Donnell Ferrybank third in 38.53. In the age categories Waterford runners figured prominently also in all three disciplines.Marathon Men Categories M40 David Cunningham Waterford 3.04.28, M50 Gerry Fitzgerald Tramore 3.17.08 M70 Tom Roche,4.59.26. Women F55 Mary Ryan Jennings Waterford, 3.57.52, F65, Terri Gough West Waterford 5.56.38 (487 finished). Results of Half Marathon Men 1 Trevor Power Waterford 1.13.02, 2 James Hamm Portlaoise 1.17.34 3 Karl Mannion 1.21.56 M40 Derek Walsh Carrick on Suir 1.18.09, M60 Jim O’Connor Skibereen Lawn.1.33.48. Women 1 Ruth Fitzgerald 1.24.17, 2 Sally Forristal St Joseph’s 1.26.01 3 Emma Furey SLOT 1.34.14 F40 Sylvia Malone Waterford 1.27.38, (1219 finished) Qtr Marathon Men 1 David Mansfield Clonliffe Hrs 36.32 2 Noel Murphy Waterford 36.53 3 Ruari O’Donnell Ferrybank 38.53, M40 Frank Quinlan Waterford 40.17 M 60 Tony Mc Mahon Focus on Fitness 48.60. Women 1 Sinéad Brannigan Waterford 46.13 2 Emma Leahy 46.42 3 Sinéad Kelly St Abban’s 48.21,F 45 Siobhán Kennedy Focus on Fitness 49.17, F55 Anne Fitzgerald Waterford 51.32, Joan Matthew 1.19.22 (969 finished) Well done to all involved in preparations that began many months ago and of course to all involved in any way on the day.
