Paul Pollock is the top Irish finisher in Marathon at Rio Olympics

The Annadale strider ran an even-paced race in very wet and humid conditions moving up 50 positions in the secondQ half.

Pollock started steadily. He was 34th at 40k and improved to 32nd on the line in a time of 2:16:24 not far from his best.

Kevin Seaward also ran a good race. The St Malachy’s athlete came 64th in 2:20:06 with Mark Clohissey from Raheny suffering from a foot infection placing 103rd of the 155 athletes in 2:26:34.

The race was won by favourite Eliud Kipchoge from Kenya.

Meanwhile, it was a day for favourites as Danny McLaughlin and Laura Graham came out on top in the Born 2 Run Dambusters Half Marathon in the spectacular surroundings of the Silent Valley Reservoir.

McLaughlin and Graham were both highly fancied for the race which was the 10th and final round of the Pure Running/ChampionChip Ireland Series and they did not disappoint their supporters.

The men’s race turned into an exhibition as McLaughlin, from St Malachy’s, controlled it and moved away to finish almost seven minutes ahead of Danny Noble with John Robinson third.

Graham of Mourne Runners has been unbeatable this season scoring victory after victory.

The National Half Marathon champion had only Danny McLaughlin ahead of her as she took the ladies by more than 11 minutes after a superb display of running.

Martje Hell came second ahead of North Belfast teammate Anne Fitzpatrick with Amanda Perry fourth.

Dromore athlete Stephen O’Gorman won the 10k event from David McKee and former junior star Wesley McDowell with Joanne Graham, Bethan Haugh giving Mourne Runners the top two places in the ladies.

Elsewhere, Gladys Ganiel-O’Neill, who came so close to Olympic marathon selection, had a notable victory in the Frank Duffy Ten Miles Road Race in Dublin.

Double Derry Marathon champion Freddy Sittuk took the men’s by two seconds from Raheny clubmate Mark Kirwan.