Subject to ratification, that takes seven seconds off the previous Irish record of 2:09:49, run by Stephen Scullion in London in 2020. The quickest Irish marathon performance of all time remains the 2:09:15 run by John Treacy in Boston in 1988, a course which is not eligible for record purposes due to its net elevation drop.
Tonosa ran with the leaders for much of the race and came home behind Kenya’s Moses Kemei (2:08:47) and Ethiopia’s Abebaw Desalew (2:09:24). He passed halfway with the leading group in 1:04:12 and 30km in 1:32:34, the 29-year-old fending off several challengers to secure a memorable podium finish.
“It was a fantastic day for me,” said Tonosa. “I’m back from lots of injuries. I was thinking to run 2:08 and I knew it would be difficult, but it was my plan to get the Irish record. I’m so happy.”
Tonosa grew up in Ethiopia and first came to Ireland in 2017 for a couple of track races, but while in Dublin he was informed his friend had been killed back home for attending a protest against the persecution of the Oromo people. Having previously been imprisoned for attending a protest against the government, Tonosa was told by his family that his life was under threat if he returned home and so he sought asylum in Ireland and was placed in direct provision.
22,000 people take place in Irish Life Dublin Marathon
An employee at the centre soon learned of his running background and put him in touch with Dundrum South Dublin AC and in the years since Tonosa has won a slew of national titles in their colours. He gained Irish citizenship in March 2020 and having represented Ireland at European and world level, his dream this year was to compete at the Paris Olympics. However, he fell short in his qualification bid at the London Marathon in April, Tonosa forced to drop out late in the race. He then switched his focus to Dublin for the autumn marathon season.
“Everyone said to go to Berlin, but I wanted to do my home championship,” said Tonosa, draped in the Irish tricolour. “Thanks to all the Irish behind me, helping me. I was thinking to get the Irish flag around 1km to go, I couldn’t find it, but I know I can hold this flag. This is the one (country) that saved my life, so I need to hold this.” Ryan Creech of Leevale was the next best Irishman, clocking 2:13:49 to finish ninth, with William Maunsell behind him in 2:14:23.
Ann-Marie McGlynn of Letterkenny AC produced another polished performance to claim back-to-back national titles in the women’s race, clocking 2:34:05 to finish sixth overall. “Last year meant a lot, I thought it meant the world and this year means more,” said the 44-year-old. “It’s hard to come back as defending champion, your card is marked, everyone is coming for you and it was mine to lose, but I wasn’t losing that today. I was taking that cup home. I said to myself, ‘get to 20 miles and maybe soak it up a bit,’ but my hamstring was pinging a bit, giving me a little teaser and so I had to watch a bit on the downhills, I couldn’t push. I just kept saying, ‘please settle.’ I knew I had it, but you don’t have it until you’re home.”
McGlynn passed halfway in 1:16:07 and held her pace well over the latter half to finish sixth in a race where Ethiopians swept the podium, with Asmirach Nega taking victory in a course record of 2:24:13 ahead of Sorome Negash (2:24:45) and Grete Dukale (2:28:29). Sligo’s Aoife Kilgallon was the second Irishwoman, finishing eighth overall in a PB of 2:35:56, with Grace Lynch just behind in ninth, smashing her PB with 2:36:09.
Elsewhere, Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha broke the world half marathon record in Valencia this morning, clocking 57:30. In his sixth appearance over the distance, the 27-year-old world indoor mile record holder took command just before the third kilometre and went through 5km in 13:38, 10km in 27:12 and 15km in 40:56. He then broke clear of his rivals, taking one second off the world record set by Jacob Kiplimo in Lisbon three years ago. In the women’s race, Kenya’s Agnes Ngetich clocked the second fastest time in history when winning in 1:03:04.
