Great Ireland Run facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Great Ireland Run |
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The Wellington Monument in Phoenix Park – the race venue
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| Date | Mid-April |
| Location | Dublin, Ireland |
| Event type | Road |
| Distance | 10 km |
| Established | 2003 |
The Great Ireland Run is a popular 10-kilometre (about 6.2 miles) running race. It happens every year in Phoenix Park, Dublin, Ireland, usually in mid-April. This event is part of the larger Great Run series of athletics competitions.
The race is sponsored by SPAR, a well-known store. It includes two main parts: a race for professional runners (called the elite race) and a race for everyone else (the popular race).
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About the Race Course
The 10-kilometre race starts on Chesterfield Avenue. Runners follow a circular path, moving clockwise through the park. The finish line is on Furze Road.
There's also a shorter, fun run for younger participants. This 2.5-kilometre (about 1.5 miles) race is for kids aged 8 to 15. In 2010, more than 11,000 people took part in the day's events! Sometimes, the elite races also count as the official Irish 10K Championships.
Famous Runners and Records
Many famous athletes have run in the Great Ireland Run. These include Paul Tergat, a former world record holder in the marathon. Craig Mottram, a World Championship medalist, has also competed.
Ireland's own running stars have joined too. These include Sonia O'Sullivan, who was a World Champion in 1995. Catherina McKiernan, a specialist in cross country running, has also run here.
The fastest times on this course belong to two runners from Ethiopia. Kenenisa Bekele holds the men's record with a time of 27 minutes and 49 seconds, set in 2012. The women's record is held by Meselech Melkamu, who finished in 31 minutes and 41 seconds in 2006.
A Short Course in 2023
In 2023, something unusual happened at the race. The course for all runners ended up being 1.5 kilometres shorter than the planned 10 kilometres. This was because of a mistake in guiding the runners near the start. The organizers, Athletics Ireland, said sorry for the unexpected problem.
Past Winners
Here is a list of the winners of the Great Ireland Run over the years.
Course record Irish championship race
| Edition | Year | Men's winner | Time (m:s) | Women's winner | Time (m:s) |
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| 17th | 2022 |  Mick Clohisey (IRL) |
30:49 | Sinead O'Connor (IRL) |
34:20 |
| 16th | 2019 | Hiko Tonosa Haso (IRL) |
30:41 | Catherina Mullen (IRL) |
34:52 |
| 15th | 2018 |  Oliver Lockley (IOM) |
30:18 | Shona Heaslip (IRL) |
34:52 |
| 15th | 2017 | Mark Christie (IRL) |
29:30 |  Gemma Steel (GBR) |
34:15 |
| 14th | 2016 | Andy Maud (GBR) |
29:55 | Fionnuala McCormack (IRL) |
33:30 |
| 13th | 2015 |  Japhet Korir (KEN) |
28:15 | Gemma Steel (GBR) |
33:03 |
| 12th | 2014 | Japhet Korir (KEN) |
29:12 |  Iwona Lewandowska (POL) |
33:39 |
| 11th | 2013 |  Kenenisa Bekele (ETH) |
28:51 | Lauren Howarth (GBR) |
33:36 |
| 10th | 2012 | Kenenisa Bekele (ETH) |
27:49 | Gemma Steel (GBR) |
32:06 |
| 9th | 2011 |  Jesús España (ESP) |
29:26 | Charlotte Purdue (GBR) |
32:42 |
| 8th | 2010 | Martin Fagan (IRL) |
29:17 | Freya Murray (GBR) |
32:30 |
| 7th | 2009 |  Rui Pedro Silva (POR) |
28:45 | Ana Dulce Félix (POR) |
32:18 |
| 6th | 2008 | Abraham Chebii (KEN) |
28:48 | Doris Changeywo (KEN) |
32:15 |
| 5th | 2007 | Abraham Chebii (KEN) |
28:47 |  Victoria Mitchell (AUS) |
33:06 |
| 4th | 2006 | Craig Mottram (AUS) |
28:51 | Meselech Melkamu (ETH) |
31:41 |
| 3rd | 2005 | Craig Mottram (AUS) |
28:35 |  Amy Rudolph (USA) |
32:16 |
| 2nd | 2004 | Craig Mottram (AUS) |
29:11 | Catherina McKiernan (IRL) |
33:39 |
| 1st | 2003 | Craig Mottram (AUS) |
28:36 | Sonia O'Sullivan (IRL) |
32:24 |
Race Statistics
Winners by CountryThis table shows which countries the winners have come from.
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Multiple WinnersSome runners have won the Great Ireland Run more than once!
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