NI mother-of-four wins Irish marathon title

Laura Graham from Kilkeel was best Irish runner in the 2016 Dublin Marathon

A County Down mother-of-four was a surprise winner of the Irish marathon championship, run as part of Sunday's Dublin Marathon.

Laura Graham from Kilkeel, who finished 10th overall, crossed the line in 2:41.53.

The 30-year-old was over three minutes clear of silver medal winner Caitriona Jennings.

Donegal woman Jennings posted a time of 2:44.59, with last year's national champion Pauline Curley taking bronze.

Graham, who has competed in just five marathons before, said: "I only first did a marathon because my dad had a heart attack.

"I still don't think I am good enough to be an elite athlete.

"I knew I had to go steady and think smart for a change, because I didn't do that in London last year."

Charity fundraiser Pat O'Loughlin, 79, completed his 36th Dublin Marathon on Sunday - a record in terms of runners from Northern Ireland.

The Castlederg man, who turns 80 in December, crossed the line in 6:47.

Charity fundraiser Pat O'Loughlin, 79, completed his 36th Dublin Marathon on Sunday

Nambia's Helalia Johannes won the women's race outright in a sprint finish with Bizuayehu Gebireyes.

Helalia clocked 2:32.31 a second ahead of Gebireyes.

Dereje Debele produced a front running display to take the men's title in 2:12:18 in an Ethopian 1-2-3 with Dereje Beyecha second in 2:14.37 and Legese Bekele third (2:15.00).

Sergui Ciobanu, the marathoner who just missed out on Rio 2016 selection, took the men's Irish title in 2:17:39, just 39 seconds outside the qualifying time for the 2017 World Championships in London.

Paul Pollock and Mick Clohissey have already secured the qualifying standard of 2:17.00 for London 2017.