SEAMUS O'DONNELL, marathons and drama all go together The Galway City Harrier took his second national title at the distance on the roads around Mallow yesterday after an action-packed race.

When he won his first title in Clonmel three years ago O'Donnell came with a late surge. Also on that occasion when he entered Tipperary town he was misdirected and to get back on course he had to duck under a rope. In doing so, lost his balance and fell but recovered to take the title.

Events were not quite as dramatic yesterday with all the action on the roads, but the result of the race was in doubt all the way to the line.

In testing conditions with a steady downpour adding to the difficulties, Leevale's Ted O'Flynn bid adieu to his pursuers at the six-mile mark and headed for glory passing the 10 miles alone in 54 minutes and 47 seconds.

By the half-way point O'Flynn saw 72 minutes and 40 seconds on the clock with John Kearney making his debut at the distance over a minute behind with O'Donnell passing in 74 minutes and 2 seconds.

Kearney showing little respect for the distance began to close on O'Flynn and by the 23-mile stage the east Cork man moved into the lead and looked to be heading for his first national title.

But the longer the better for long-striding, Galway-based lecturer O'Donnell who always gets new life once the 20-mile mark is passed over the classic distance. Yesterday was no different. Gradually the distance between the leader and O'Donnell shortened.

First O'Flynn was overcome and then into the final mile Kearney was drawing near until O'Donnell passed him with 1,000 metres to race. Indeed an indication of how much of a surge the winner put in over the final miles is indicated in the fact that he covered the final mile in five minutes and 20 seconds and the second-half of the race in 71 minutes.

O'Donnell crossed the line in 2 hours 25 minutes and 41 seconds with Kearney second 47 seconds be hind and O'Flynn hanging on for third in 2 hours 27 minutes and 3 seconds.

Brid Murphy was a comprehensive winner of the women's race as she took the title in 2 hours 52 minutes and 52 seconds, well ahead of Mary Beth Dillon from the US who took time out from her honeymoon in Ireland to run the distance in a race which attracted 100 athletes.