CITY of Derry’s Breege Connolly landed the KBC South Dublin 10K in windy conditions on Sunday morning.
Olympian Connolly was first across the line in the women’s field clocking 35 minutes 19 seconds, followed by previous Dublin Marathon national titleholder Laura Graham in 35:40.
Scotland’s Gemma Rankin was third in 35:46.
“I’m delighted with the win,” said a delighted Connolly after the race.
“Laura led the race for the first 5km, and then I pushed on from there to the finish line.”
“I plan to run the Frank Duffy Dublin 10 mile.
“And I hope to toe the line for the Dublin Marathon in October,” added Connolly who competed in the Rio 2016 Olympic marathon.
Olympian Paul Pollock set a new KBC race series record to win the South Dublin 10K with a time of 29:28. This time improved on Mick Clohisey’s race series record of 29:44 ran at the 2015 Fingal 10k.
Clohisey the reigning national marathon champion matched that time to finish second with Hiko Tanosa third in 30:03. Mark Kenneally was fourth in 30:30.
The field ran into a headwind for the first 5km with Raheny man Clohisey taking on the early pace before Pollock made a surge of speed to break away from the leading pack.
All three Olympic Marathon runners; Pollock, Clohisey and Keneally are committing to racing in the KBC Dublin Marathon on Sunday October 27.
“I was thrilled with that, it was a beautiful course out there” explained Pollock. “There was a great atmosphere and buzz around.”
“It was great to have a good race against Mick and Tanosa. The next goal for me is the Berlin Marathon in a few weeks, and Dublin is part of the plan too.”
Clohisey is also opting to race in the KBC Dublin Marathon over the World Championships which are set to take place in Doha in October in less than favourable conditions for the distance.
“My wife is expecting a baby in September so it will be a different kind of a build-up to the race. I hope to make it to the start line in good nick” explained Clohisey.
Over 3,500 competitors ran the South Dublin 10k, with the start and finish at Grange Castle Business Park in Clondalkin, Co. Dublin, taking in Corkagh Park and the Grand Canal Walkway.
Next in the KBC Race Series 2019, is the Frank Duffy 10 Mile on Saturday August 24th.
The KBC Dublin Half Marathon will take place on Saturday September 21st.
The sold-out 2019 Dublin Marathon, celebrating its 40th Anniversary with KBC, has a record entry of 22,500.
The runners take the start-line on Sunday, October 27.
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