Kenyan one-two in Belfast

Paul Edukan (centre) with Benson Matheka and Cathal O'Connell

There was a Keynan one-two for the second successive year in the Belfast Marathon on Monday.

Peter Edukan, running the 26.2 mile distance for the first time, came home nearly two minutes ahead of fellow country Benson Matheka.

In blustery conditions Edukan won in a time of two hours, 23 minutes and 51 seconds.

Third place was Cathal O'Connell from Cork with Alan McCullough the first local runner home in a time of 2:29.14.

The Kenyans dominated the race from the start with Matheka looking to better his fourth place of last year.

The 24 year old looked to be achieving his goal when he made a break and opened up a 40-metre gap at the 23-mile mark.

However, the wheels appeared to come off at the 25-mile mark and Edukan stormed through to take the winning laurels.

Matheka came home in a time of 2:25.47 with O'Connell clocking 2:27.13.

The ladies race was a close affair with Newcastle's Julia Myatt winning in a time of 2:52.52 from Swansea's Ruth Pickvance and American visitor Barbara McManus third.

In the popular relay event, Queen's Universtiy came home in a time of 2:18.20 with North Belfast second in 2:19.19.

There was a record number of runners in the many races within the marathon with 11,244 runners taking part.

Belfast Marathon result
1 Paul Edukan, 2:23.51
2 Benson Matheka, 2:25.47
3 Cathal O'Connell, 2:27.13
4 Alan McCullough, 2:29.14