Sokolov Aiming for Third Consecutive Title

Sokolov Aiming for Third Consecutive Title

Russian Aleksey Sokolov, who holds the current Lifestyle Sports-adidas Dublin Marathon course record of 2:09:07, set in 2007, returns to Dublin this weekend with the aim of taking his third title in four years.

A win for Sokolov on Monday will put him on level pegging with Dick Hooper, the first ever winner of the Dublin Marathon back in 1980, and the only person to have won the race three times.

Sokolov will wear race number 1, with his namesake and protégée, Alexsey Sokolov (no relation) wearing number 2.

The biggest challenge to Sokolov is expected to come from last years winner, Ukranian Andriy Naumov, and 2004 winner and the course record holder from 2004 – 2007, Kenyan Lezan Kimutai. Tomas Abyu of Great Britain will also compete for his third time, having finished third last year and second in 2007, when he set a personal best of 2:10.27.

Also looking for a third title is Galway’s Michael O’Connor, who was the first Irish man home in 2007 and 2008.

Russian athletes have dominated the women’s field since 2004, and this years looks to be no different, with last years winner Larissa Zousko and Alina Ivanova, winner in 2006 and 2007, both returning.

But it is the Irish Women’s Elite category that is generating the most anticipation this year, with friends and running rivals Annette Kealy and Pauline Curley set to battle it out for the first time in the Marathon. Tullamore Harriers Curley sat out Dublin last year, following her heroics at the Olympics, while Dubliner Kealy came in second place behind Maria McCambridge.

The 30th Running of the Lifestyle Sports-adidas Dublin Marathon will start in Fitzwilliam Street Upper at 9am* and finish in Merrion Square North. To facilitate the marathon, road closures will be in place on Sunday 25th and Monday 26th October. For the duration of the race, Gardaí will have local traffic diversions in place. For a full list of traffic diversions see www.dublinmarathon.ie.

*(Wheelchair start is 8.55am)



The 2009 Lifestyle Sports-adidas Dublin Marathon Press Pack is available at: www.dublinmarathon.ie/media