Debono dumbfounds doubters in Dublin

Veteran Żurrieq Wolves runner Alfred Debono consolidated his position as one of the leading long distance runners in the Over-60 category on the international scene after his recent success in the Dublin Marathon.

In Ireland, Debono, coached by Russian Ivan Roshnov, placed first (out of 148 runners) in his category and achieved an overall 361st position from a field of over 13,000 participants.

The Dublin race was Debono’s 21st full marathon in a career spanning 17 years.

He notched his sixth ‘pole position’ in his category from eight marathons he raced since turning 60, three years ago, to complement his 100% record in four half marathons he ran over the same period.

Few gave Debono a chance in adverse weather conditions in Dublin but he continued to defy his advancing years by clocking in at 3:04.30.

This was his best timing in 18 months on a marathon course and an improvement of two minutes and 33 seconds on his previous marathon in Stockholm last May.

Debono’s impressive list of over-60 successes includes the mara-thons of Zurich, Florence, Vienna, Lisbon, Stockholm and Dublin last month. His half marathon first places came in Verona, Pisa, Toronto and Niagara Falls.

Medcomms Ltd, local agents for Garmin, and Gasan Mamo Insurance again assisted Debono in his race in Dublin.