O'Sullivan and Carroll Set for Great BUPA Ireland Run

9 February 2005

Stalwarts Mark Carroll and Sonia O'Sullivan will both run in this year's

Great BUPA Ireland Run taking place in Dublin's Phoenix Park on April 9.

For Carroll the Irish record holder at 3km, 5km and 10km's it will be his

debut in the mass participation 10kilometres race while O'Sullivan will be

challenging to regain the title won last year by the now retired Catherina

McKiernan.

Carroll has shown a resurgence of top form in recent weeks and at the end of

January scored an impressive 3,000 metres indoor victory ahead of America's

top middle-distance runner Alan Webb.

"Mark showed he still has the aggression for running on the boards," said

Matthew Turnbull the race athletics director of the former European indoor

champion.

"I'm sure he'll bring that form with him when he makes his debut in the

Great BUPA Ireland Run after missing last year's through injury."

Carroll showed his confidence to compete in the race, knowing even before he

signed-up he will be facing Australia's Number One distance star Craig

Mottram, winner for the last two years.

Turnbull said: "Mottram's eager to complete a hatrick and that is the reason

he jumped without hesitation at the opportunity of returning to Dublin. A

great race is on the cards."

Meanwhile Turnbull is delighted that O'Sullivan is again supporting the

event where last year she surprisingly surrendered her title to arch-rival

McKiernan.

"I understand she's had a solid winter's training down in Australia after

recovering from a minor injury," said Turnbull. "Now it's a case of getting

some other top women into the race."

Entries for the mass race are still being taken with almost 2,000 already

signed up the third instalment of the event, it promises to be the biggest

to date. For more information call (01) 868 00 88 or visit www.greatrun.org