Hiko Tonosa of Dundrum South Dublin AC was first of the Irish athletes in the elite race at the Antrim Coast Half Marathon held in Larne, Co Antrim, on Sunday (August 27)
For Tonosa, back racing after an extended break, it was a first run over the distance and he finished a creditable ninth in 62 mins 22 secs. Race winner was Daniel Mateiko of Kenya in 58:26, with four athletes breaking the hour.
Other good Irish times came from Fearghal Curtin (Youghal AC) 11th in 62:34, Kevin Seaward (St Malachy’s AC) 15th in 64:33 and John Travers (Donore Harriers) 19th in 65:40.
First woman was Mestawut Fikir of Ethiopia in 66:44. Of the Irish women, Shona Heaslip of An Riocht AC finished fourth woman in 70:34 and England-based Hannah Irwin fifth woman in 71:05.
In the ‘masses’ race, Conal McCambridge of North Belfast Harriers was first home in 71:03 with Jayne Bleakley first woman in 74:17.