Ireland’s Pauric McKinney ensured that Ireland’s marathon team remain very much in contention to win the Europe & Oceania division of the Greatest Race on Earth (GROE) marathon series. His time of 2.40.24 in the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon, held in extremely challenging conditions of 25C heat and almost 100% humidity, means that Ireland are just 1 minute 22 seconds behind leaders Australia with two marathons remaining. GROE is a relay of four marathons held in the cities of Nairobi, Singapore, Mumbai and Hong Kong. National representatives compete in teams of four, running one marathon each, with the fastest cumulative time deciding the outcome. In addition to contesting for the overall title, nations also compete in the six geographic divisions of Africa, Americas, Europe & Oceania, North Asia, South Asia and South East Asia, with each divisional team winner receiving a prize of $30,000. Prior to the Singapore Marathon (3rd December), Cathal O’Connell had given Ireland the lead in the Europe & Oceania division with an excellent run at altitude in Nairobi. McKinney, a former national marathon champion and cross-country international, has now ensured that Ireland is a serious contender for the divisional title. Finland, Denmark and Ukraine, the next closest rivals, are currently well adrift. Great Britain had been looking for an inspirational run from Olympian Mark Steinle in Singapore (PB of 2:09:17) but like many contestants, he succumbed to the effects of the heat and humidity and was reduced to walking as he clocked a time of 3 hours, 16 minutes, 1 second. His disastrous run effectively puts Great Britain out of contention. Next up for Ireland will be Michael O’Connor in Mumbai on 21 January 2007, followed by Gary Crossan in Hong Kong on 4 March 2007