Novice Dublin marathon runner qualifies for London Olympics on first running over the distance:

Linda Byrne celebrates qualification for London 2012 Olympics

            Linda Byrne, from Dundrum, south Dublin, crossed the finish line in today's Dublin Marathon in 2.36.21 – 39 seconds inside the cut-off time for qualification for next year’s Olympics.  The 25-year-old was sixth overall, six minutes behind the winner of the women’s race Helalia Johannes, from Namibia.  Byrne said she was absolutely shocked and delighted after getting the time confirmed.

            The men’s race was won by Kenyan Geoffrey Ndungu who set a new record for the route of 2.08.32, smashing last year’s time by 24 seconds.  The fastest Irish man was Sean Connolly, a commendable 12th in 2.18.52, but too slow for qualification for London.

             The fastest Irish man was Sean Connolly, a commendable 12th in 2.18.52, but too slow for qualification for London.  A record 14,000 competitors took to the streets with light but persistent rain making conditions for the race difficult.

Special Garda tribute at 2011 Dublin Marathon today

              More than 200 gardaí and PSNI officers running the marathon wore black ribbons in memory of a colleague who died in flash floods last week.  Garda Ciaran Jones, 24, was swept away while trying to warn motorists over dangerous conditions at a bridge in the Wicklow mountains on Monday night.