DARA O'Kearney continued his build-up to the Dublin City Marathon when he finished a very credible 5th in the Tarmonbarry Half Marathon in a time of 80 minutes this afternoon (October 1.) He was also the first vet across the line.

Meanwhile in Scotland, experienced marathon runners Tom Loftus and Dave Brady defied the heavy rain the the relentless climbs to complete the Lough Ness marathon. Tom finished in a time of 3.21 while Dave - inching ever closer to that magical 100 marathon figure - covered the 26.2 mile course in 3.45. Other local runners who completed the marathon included Vinny Clohisey (3.15) and Paul Gorey (3.19). No sightings of the monster reported!