Another noteworthy victory for Somba
DUNBOYNE AC’s Peter Somba made it two from two in the Irish Life Dublin Race series by winning the Frank Duffy 10 Mile in the Phoenix Park in 51 minutes and 14 seconds on Saturday.
However, runner-up Josh O’Sullivan Hourihan (Donore Harriers), an international orienteer who knew the course particularly well, pushed him all the way while top Irish mountain runner Kate Purcell (Raheny Shamrock AC) broke the hour-mark while taking the women’s title. They were joined by thousands of runners who were taking on the 10 Mile in the Phoenix Park.
Somba, the in-form man on Irish roads right now, followed up his Fingal 10km win with another impressive victory but came home just seven seconds clear of O’Sullivan Hourihan (51:21), with Celbridge AC’s Martin Hoare (52:10) third on a sunny but blustery morning.
“He broke me on the hill up to the Wellington monument. I reeled him back in on the playing pitches but he was just too strong in the last three miles,” said O’Sullivan Hourihan (30) from Ballycotton.
He trains in the park as he works there in the Ordnance Survey Office and he was one of Ireland’s top performers at the World Orienteering Championships in Denmark last month. “I last raced 10 miles nine years ago, so I’m very happy. I knew that if I was close to Peter I was doing well and it’s ideal preparation for the half marathon next month,” he said.
Purcell was particularly thrilled to win the women’s title in 59 minutes and 36 seconds, over half a minute clear of Annadale’s Caitlyn Harvey (60:09) with Killorglin native Niamh Clifford (Donore Harriers) third in 60:20.“I’m so thrilled. That’s a PB because I’ve never done a 10 Mile before. I can’t wait to go home and tell my family,” said the mother of two from Swords who helped Ireland win team bronze at the 2013 World Mountain Running Championships.
“I’ve run one marathon and a lot of halfs but a 10 Mile never before fit into my schedule, so it’s been a great experience and a great stepping stone for next month’s half-marathon,” she said.
Results:
2022 Irish Life Race Series - Frank Duffy 10 Mile (Phoenix Park)
Men: 1 P Somba (Dunboyne AC) 51:14, 2 J O’Sullivan Hourihan (Donore Harriers) 51:21, 3 M Hoare (Celbridge AC) 52:10.
Women: 1 K Purcell (Raheny Shamrock AC) 59:31, 2 C Harvey (Annadale Striders) 1:00.09, 3 N Clifford (Donore Harriers) 1:00:20.
The next race in the Irish Life Half Marathon (17th September) and entry is still open at IrishLifeDublinMarathon.ie. The Irish Life Dublin Marathon on Sunday 30th October is sold out.
This year, the Irish Life Dublin Marathon and Race Series has developed a Runners’ Support Squad to help runners of all abilities harness the power of support to achieve their goals. Olympians Catherina McKiernan and Mick Clohisey are the coaching team and have developed training plans for all races in the series and the marathon using their vast expertise and knowledge. They are joined by nutritionist, Olivia Keenan; psychologist, Jessie Barr, and physiotherapist Mark Kenneally. To find out more follow the Irish Life Dublin Marathon social media channels.