Kenya's Jacob Chesire breaks Belfast Marathon record

Kenya's Jacob Chesire ran the fastest ever Belfast Marathon in winning the traditional May Day holiday race in two hours, 14 minutes and 56 seconds.

He broke Marty Deane's city record of 2:15.51 which had been achieved over an easier course in 1985.

Three-times Belfast winner John Mutai was runner-up for the second year in a row but was well behind in 2:19.55.

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Ndirangu surges past Kiprono to win Bloomsday men’s title

y his own admission, Simon Ndirangu’s first experience at the Lilac Bloomsday didn’t go as planned.

“I was here in 2007, but I didn’t do very good,” the 25-year-old Kenyan said of his eighth-place finish.

Ndirangu made the most of his second chance Sunday, out-kicking countryman Allan Kiprono over the final 250 meters to win one of the closest men’s races in Bloomsday’s 35-year history by 1 second. Ndirangu covered the 12 kilometers in 33 minutes, 58 seconds, roughly 61 seconds faster than his 2007 time. He collected a $7,000 winner’s check.

Kiprono, 21, was a couple of strides behind at 33:59. Ndirangu’s time was the fifth fastest and Kiprono’s the sixth in Bloomsday history. Belete Assefa finished third in 34:09.

A lead pack of 11 at Mile 2 dwindled to four at the top of Doomsday Hill. At that point, Kiprono, who beat Ndirangu while finishing second at the Crescent City 10K in New Orleans last weekend, led by a few meters.

At the 6-mile mark, Ndirangu took the lead with Kiprono just off his left shoulder and Assefa, who won the Crescent City and was bidding to become Bloomsday’s first Ethiopian men’s winner, was perhaps 3 meters behind.

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Making haste as sun shines thousands take part in Limerick run

Some 750 athletes took part in the full marathon, which was won by Freddie Keron Sittuk, from Kenya, followed by his compatriot Lezan Kimutai. Moldovan Sergui Ciobanu, a Cahir, Co Tipperary, resident for the past two years, came third.

The women’s marathon was won by Liz Hussey, from Monaleen in Limerick, followed by Maria McCarthy from Kerry, and Deirdre Flynn, also from Limerick.

Brian McMahon of the Clonliffe Harriers in Dublin won the men’s half-marathon event, while Angela McCann, from Clonmel, was first over the line in the women’s event.

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Get your kicks - Nike Vomero 6

Mizuno Global Elite Apparel

In the past, you may have seen an elite athlete wearing a fantastic apparel item and said to yourself “I want that”, but the product was not available to the general public. Times are changing. In the last few seasons, adidas and Nike have made their respective elite level adizero and Race Day collections available to consumers. Last year Asics got into the game with their Total Impact Line (TIL). The latest player to join the fray is Mizuno, with their Global Elite collection.

Mizuno has long been known for advanced technical apparel, and the Global Elite Collection is their latest showcase. The collection is highlighted by a race singlet and split short and also includes an Aero Tee and the super light Cabrakan Jacket. The Aero Split Short is nearly as light as air and offers a modified half split for great range of motion. The short also offers a laser cut pattern for ventilation and reduced weight. Up top, the Aero Singlet demonstrates great attention to detail. Using a 4-needle flat lock stitch, the Aero singlet provides great comfort. It also has a burn-out mesh back for superior ventilation.

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Get your kicks - NIKE LUNARSPIDER RACER CAMO - METALLIC SILVER/WHITE

Get your kicks - NIKE LUNARSPIDER RACER CAMO - WHITE/METALLIC SILVER