Ian Molloy – the fastest Carlow runner in the Dublin City Marathon
Father and son team Ben and Benny Dowling from Tinryland that completed the Dublin City Marathon.
Another Dublin City Marathon has come and gone. Wet, wild and downright miserable conditions masked the skies as the runners trudged through the streets of Dublin, mirages of the finishing line appearing from the 18th mile onwards.
Some swore they would never do it again. Others elated didn’t even want to think about it – intent on enjoying the post celebrations in earnest. A week has elapsed and already pains and aches, inclement weather conditions and pre-marathon anxiety have already been forgotten. For many plans are underway to sign up for another one next year.
After all the Dublin City Marathon is not just about the race, it’s about the people – those you meet on the way and those that line the streets soaked with heartfelt enthusiasm.
This year, the men’s elite race was won by Daniel Mesfin of USA in a personal best time of 2:08.51 with Ethiopia’s Eebbissee Aduunya crossing the line in 2:26.28 winning the women’s race in her debut marathon. 19-year-old Ava Crean of Limerick won the women's national title in 2:34.12 while Waterford AC’s David McGlynn took the men's title with a 2.11.01 – both personal best times.
A record breaking 18,486 runners completed the course. Scattered amongst the 18,486 were many participants from Carlow – some members of running clubs, others enthusiasts out to establish their own goals.
26 members of St Laurence O’Toole AC, five from Tinryland AC and three from Dolmen AC were amongst those who registered under a Carlow athletics club.
The fastest Carlow runner was Ian Molloy (St Laurence O’Toole) who finished 16th in the Over-40 section, recording a time of 2:33.42. This is a considerable improvement upon the 2:40.18 that he ran last April at the Haspa Marathon in Hamburg.
The Dublin time of 2:33.42 was not only a personal best for Molloy but it was also a Carlow record. A record which was set some 45 years ago. Back in 1980 at the inaugural Dublin City marathon Larry Doyle finished in 17th place to record a time of 2:35.14. An interesting comparation to the 74th place finish by Molloy in 2025, an indication of the quality event that the Dublin City Marathon has become.
The accolade of the fastest Carlow lady went to the 2024 county novice cross-country champion Louise Oprea (SLOT) who completed the 26-mile course in 3:19.46. Oprea’s time was the fourth fastest of any Carlow runner who competed in Dublin this year - indicating the superb form she has been in this season. In preparation for the event she has had success on the roads, most notably her second place finish in the over 40 section of the Athy half-marathon in August.
Another St Laurence O’Toole athlete also recorded a sub 3 hour marathon. Denis Lyons running crossed the line in 2:41:11 to finish 164th overall and 16th in the over 45 section. David Kidd is one of Carlow’s most decorated racewalkers. In his juvenile and earlier senior hey-day Kidd won many national medals for race-walking as well as donning the green Irish vest on a few occasions. Last weekend in Dublin he swapped racewalking for running and recorded a time of 3:29.17.
Other St Laurence O’Toole AC finishers were: Alan Butler (3.20.14), Brian Delaney (3.29.05), Padraic Dunne (3.30.35), Rock Pender (3.34.04), Eddie Dooley (3.35.29), Emma Kelly (3.42.46), Brid Long (3.46.59), Brendan Nolan (3.48.35), Aoife May (3.51.26), Gavin Deering (3.51.37), Des Joyce (3.52.41), Edward Dooley (3.54.36), Yvonne Dunne (3.56.01), Suzanne Dunne (3.56.48), Neil Thornton (3.58.00), Muire Burke (3.58.26), William Long (3.58.38), Abdurahman Abas (4.08.50), Alan Shaw (4.16.34), Dermot O’Shea (4.36.32), David Ashmore (4.58.42), Ronan Wall (6.09.48).
For many marathon runners, the preparation is made all the more enjoyable and enduring through the camaraderie of group running sessions, either through a purposely built social Dublin marathon training group, athletics or family group efforts.
This year, Benny and Ben Dowling were one of several father and son teams that completed the Dublin City Marathon. Charting the perfect preparation for this event, both took on the athletics Ireland recommended road racing path; completing the Irish Life half marathon and three quarters marathon prior to the marathon itself.
Ben has achieved many personal bests this year over a plethora of distances ranging from 5km right up to the marathon itself. He competed the Dublin course in 3:05.45 – a new personal best. While not under the three hours he had hoped, he did spend the majority of the race in the sub three hour zone. An indication that breaking that magic barriers is imminent.
His father Benny is no stranger to road racing and he competed the course in 3:33.21. Not far behind him was Rory Nolan who recorded 3:36.20, not his fastest time but his preparation this year had been hindered somewhat with a lingering injury.
John Dillion finished with a time of 3:56.25. The fastest Tinryland lady was Gracie O’Rielly who despite her recent ironman endeavours, managed to complete the 26 miles in 3:51.25.
Dolmen AC were represented by three of their members in this year’s Dublin City Marathon. First home was Colm Graham who recorded 3:28.41 in what can only be described as miserable conditions for running.
A stark contrast to the conditions experienced by another club member Cillian Looney who basked in over 30 degrees has he took on the Palma Marathon. Accompanying Graham in Dublin was Roisin Whitty who finished under the 4 hour mark with a time of 3 hours 54 minutes.
Roisin was 123rd in the over 50 category. The final competitor from Dolmen AC was Wayne Scholtz (also over 50) finishing in 4:14.38. A time that saw him finish in the top 61% of all runners.
This coming Saturday the Leinster juvenile (uneven ages) and senior cross-country will take place at Kilbeggan racecourse in Westmeath.
Amongst those with an entry are: Elizabeth Cassidy (SLOT), Oliver McDonald (SLOT), Thomas Julian (SLOT), Orla Kelly (SLOT), Erika O’Grady (St Pats) and Padraig Webb (Tinryland).
Carlow already has Saoirse Dunne (Ardattin AC) and Lucy Malone (Ballon/Rathoe) through to the All-Ireland’s from the even age Leinster’s. It is hoped to add more athletes to this list of qualifiers.
