The Cork City Marathon got underway earlier this morning at 8:15am.
More than 12,000 runners are participating across three race distances: the full marathon (42.2km), the half marathon, and the 10km race. Approximately 3,000 athletes registered for the full marathon. Both the start and finish lines are located on Grand Parade in Cork city centre.
The event has also attracted significant public support, with an estimated 25,000 spectators lining the streets to cheer on participants.
The winners of the full marathon have already crossed the finish line.
In the men's race, Stephen McAuley of Antrim claimed victory in a time of 2:22:42 while representing Letterkenny Athletics Club.
The women's race was won by Australia's Melissah Gibson, who finished in an impressive time of 2:40:41.
The VHI Women’s Mini-Marathon is scheduled to begin at 12:30pm today, with more than 28,000 participants expected to take part in the 10km event.
To help manage the large number of entrants, participants have been divided into colour-coded starting groups. The White and Pink groups will start on Leeson Street, the Blue groups will begin on Clare Street and Hume Street, while the Orange group will start on Herbert Place.
The event, recognised as the largest women-only event of its kind in the world, aims to bring women together to run, jog, or walk in support of numerous charities and causes.
The Mini-Marathon has a significant place in sporting history. Women were excluded from marathon competition in many parts of the world until restrictions gradually began to lift during the 1970s. Since its inaugural race in 1983, when 9,000 women took part, more than one million participants have entered the event over its 42-year history.
Members of the public are advised that traffic diversions and road closures are in place in both Dublin and Cork throughout the day due to the events. Motorists and public transport users should plan their journeys accordingly and consult the official event websites for the latest travel and route information.
