Over 14,000 people made their way to the start line of the 32nd National Lottery Dublin Marathon on Fitzwilliam Street Upper on Monday morning. The record number of entrants coincided with a special Halloween edition of the Marathon, the 5th of its kind to fall on October 31st since the race’s inception in 1980.

Last year’s winner, Kenyan Moses Kangogo Kibet returned this year preparing to put his 2010 title and course record (2.08.58) on the line. In the Elite women’s category Shuru Diriba Dulume of Ethiopia who ran 2.28.26 at the Dubai Marathon in 2009 was a favourite this year as was Halalia Johannes of Namibia who ran 2.33.26 for second place in Dublin in 2009.

But it was Geoffrey Ndunga from Kenya was first to cross the line in this year's race, setting a new course record of 2:08:33. In the ladies race it was the much talked about Helalia Johannes from Namibia who fiinshed first with a time of 2:30:55. 

The Irish Elite field was strengthened by the presence of a number of Marathon Mission 2012 candidates. The Marathon Mission Team was set up earlier this year to improve the competitive depth in quality of times being run by Irish Marathoners. Sean Connolly was the first Irish man in the race with a time of 2:18:52 which was 12th overall.

The Irish women’s race promised to be one of the most competitive yet with three Dundrum South Dublin Athletes, Ava Hutchinson, Linda Byrne and Maria McCambridge, all capable of achieving sub 2.37 - the qualification mark for London 2012. Linda Byrne finshed first and qualified with 30 seconds spare for the 2012 Olympics in London, an amazing acheivement considering it was her firs marathon. 

For all race details please see www.dublinmarathon.ie and click here to see a selection of photographs from the day.

Congratulations to all those who took part in the National Lottery Dublin Marathon and thanks for raising so much money for good causes around Ireland. See you next year!