Martin Fagan first Irish winner of SPAR Great Ireland Run 2010

Fagan broke away from the field in the first half of the run and was untroubled throughout. Martin Fagan of Mullingar Harriers became the first Irish men's winner of the SPAR Great Ireland Run when he led home a field of over 10,000 runners, joggers and walkers in perfect weather in the Phoenix Park, Dublin today. Fagan’s time of 29 minutes 17 seconds gave him a 19 second advantage in the 10k run over Gary Thornton from Galway City Harriers and Andrew Ledwith from the Father Murphy’s club in Meath. The SPAR Great Ireland Run also incorporated the Woodies DIY Athletics Ireland national 10k road championships. The women’s race was won by Freya Murray from Scotland who held off British compatriot Jo Pavey. Benita Willis of Australia was third and the first Irish finisher in fourth place, and winner of the Woodies DIY Athletics Ireland national 10k championship was Linda Byrne from the Dundrum South Dublin club. Murray and Pavey fought out a close battle until 8k when Murray pulled ahead and went on to win by 15 seconds. Despite some elite and fun runners and being unable to travel to the event from abroad, the Run was hugely successful. Willie O’Byrne, Managing Director of SPAR Ireland who ran in the event, said: “As race sponsors we were delighted with the huge level of participation and the positive spirit of the whole event. It’s just the tonic the country needs at the moment. From the Junior Run, to the elites, to sport for all, it was a marvellously inclusive event for everyone.” RESULTS SPAR GREAT IRELAND RUN 2010 Men (10 km) 1. Martin Fagan (Ireland) 29:17 2. Gary Thornton (Ireland) 29:36 3. Andrew Ledwith (Ireland) 29:48 4. Joseph Sweeney (Ireland) 29:59 5. Alan O’Shea (Ireland) 30:34 6. Paddy Hamilton (Ireland) 30:41 Women (10 km) 1. Freya Murray (Great Britain) 32:30 2. Jo Pavey (Great Britain) 32:45 3. Benita Willis (Australia) 34:28 4. Linda Byrne (Ireland) 34:52 5. Clare Gibbons McCarthy (Ireland) 35:27 6. Barbara Sanchez (Ireland) 35:35 JUNIOR GREAT IRELAND RUN 2010 Boys (2.7 km) 1. David Harper (Westport AC) 9:15 2. Eoin Taggart (Blessington Valley AC) 9:37 3. Sam Allen (St Coca’s AC) 10:07 Girls (2.7 km) 1. Ciara Hewson (Mullingar Harriers) 10:16 2. Alanna Lally (Galway City Harriers) 10:35 3. Lorraine Daly (Mullingar Harriers) 10:50 WOODIES DIY ATHLETICS IRELAND 10K CHAMPIONSHIPS Men (10 km) 1. Martin Fagan (Mullingar Harriers) 29:17 2. Gary Thornton (Galway City Harriers) 29:36 3. Andrew Ledwith (Father Murphy’s AC) 29:48 4. Joseph Sweeney (Dundrum South Dublin AC) 29:59 5. Alan O’Shea (Bantry AC) 30:34 6. Paddy Hamilton (Annadale Striders) 30:41 Women (10 km) 1. Linda Byrne (Dundrum South Dublin AC) 34:52 2. Clare Gibbons McCarthy (Leevale AC) 35:27 3. Barbara Sanchez (Raheny Shamrocks) 35:35 4. Siobhan O’Doherty (Borrisokane AC) 35:56 5. Annette Kealy (Raheny Shamrocks) 36:20 6. Orla Drumm (UCC AC) 36:40