Perfect conditions for over 8,000 running 23rd marathon in Dublin

The sun came out, the wind died down and over 8,000 entrants enjoyed near perfect conditions for yesterday's 23rd running of the Dublin marathon.

For many, the real marathon lay in getting to Dublin, as the stormy condition of recent days led to delays in boat and air connections. According to the organisers, however, there weren't many "no-shows", apart from one elite runner from Morocco who missed his flight.

On a new, more hilly course, the elite athletes completed their 26.2 mile journey around Dublin's streets before most of the capital's citizens were up and about their business on a bank holiday Monday.

The rest of the field, including 5,000 overseas runners, then streamed in to the finish on Merrion Square at various speeds and various times of the day. By nightfall, small knots of walkers were still negotiating the classic distance, encouraged by supporters and race officials anxious to re-open the city's streets to traffic.

This year's race started at Trinity College and swept in a wide arc through Dublin's southside before crossing the Liffey at Chapelizod. At the 20-mile mark, when many runners are facing "the wall", the course led up a steep hill past the Ordnance Survey office in the Phoenix Park, before the final, mostly downhill plod to the city centre.

Although the weather was infinitely better than on Sunday, there was still a stiffish breeze to contend with as the runners came down O'Connell Street for the final mile.

Africans once again dominated the men's race, occupying the top five places. The winner, 23-year-old Frederick Cherono from Kenya, has been running for only two years, but there wasn't a bead of sweat on his brow when he gave interviews shortly after finishing in 2:14:23.

"I enjoyed the run. It wasn't difficult and I felt strong. Yes, it was cool today, but it is like this in the Rift Valley, from where I come."

In the women's race, Lydia Vassilevskaia from Moscow looked equally comfortable after setting a new record of 2:32:56. Lydia, who runs an average of 200 km a week, found the roads a bit bumpy but had no problems dealing with the breeze.

"The day before was such a nightmare, I'm glad it wasn't the same today."

There was little to cheer for among the Irish competitors, with their highest placing ninth in the women's race and tenth in the men's.

Runners from 52 countries look part in this year's marathon, including 2,000 from the US and 1,200 from the UK.

The race is worth an estimated €12 million to the Irish economy, according to the organisers, and participants raise over €15 million for charities, mostly in the US, Canada and Ireland.