WATCH: Sheer emotion as thousands complete Great Limerick Run 2019

IT has been a golden day in the the city as thousands of people have taken part in the landmark 10th annual Great Limerick Run.

The city’s main thoroughfare, O’Connell Street, was closed off from early on Sunday, as up to 14,000 runners of varying abilities took part in the Regeneron sponsored event.

Limerick basked in sunshine and warm weather throughout the event, something welcomed by spectators – but less so for many of the athletes, who complained it made conditions tougher.

But the sun most definitely shone on Clonmel man Sergiu Ciobanu who won the marathon with a time of 2.20:26. The Moldovan national was followed by last year’s winner Kildare’s Peter Mooney, who was just shy of 2:30.

The first Limerick man to cross the white line was Peter Madden of Dooneen Athletics Club with a time of 2.51, followed by Mike Sheehy of the West Limerick Athletics Club, who clocked 2.53.

Elsewhere, thousands of people ran for personal targets and good causes as part of the six-mile fun run.

Peter Clarke was one of the three ‘Great Limerick Nuns’, who completed the six-mile run, and in doing so, raised €3,000 for Pieta House.

Some run the @RGreatLimRun for charity, others to meet targets. This Moyross group ran in solidarity with friend Claire, who has terminal cancer. It was such an emotional and poignant moment when the last of them crossed the line - and for many it shows what event is all about. pic.twitter.com/M4TFvtt79e

— Nick Rabbitts (@Nick468official) May 5, 2019

Real superheroes finishing the @RGreatLimRun: UHL radiotherapy staff here, Rhonda Flynn, Trish Finnegan, Aine Lally and Mairead Dennehy. pic.twitter.com/4YT34RQuJY

— Nick Rabbitts (@Nick468official) May 5, 2019

✝️✝️ Congratulations to the Great Limerick Nuns! These lads from Janesboro have raised €3,000 for @PietaHouse at the @RGreatLimRun pic.twitter.com/cJwXmYhfNG

— Nick Rabbitts (@Nick468official) May 5, 2019

Brilliant to see a #Limerick lad win the six mile race: 20 year old Eoghan Beary of the SCR smashed the race coming in little over 30 minutes. @RGreatLimRun pic.twitter.com/iRb7X1e18Z

— Nick Rabbitts (@Nick468official) May 5, 2019

The Janesboro man – tongue firmly in cheek – said: “We are out of the convent to do a run for Limerick – but don’t tell the priest, as we are meant to be inside studying and saying our prayers.”

“We think it’s a great event for Limerick, we get dressed up and bring a bit of fun and attention to the day and the costumes were only €20 in the internet, so it’s all good,” he added.

Former Limerick footballer Danny Neville completed the race alongside a number of teammates from Ballysteen GAA Club. He did the six-mile race in just over 42 minutes.

“It was good, it was my first time doing one. I’m not sure i’ll be doing one again in a hurry,” he said, “But it’s nice to get out and have a bit of fun.”

Around 35,000 spectators lied the routes across Limerick to cheer on the runners who took part in the largest mass participation event to be held outside Dublin.

Mayor James Collins was on hand to support the runners.

He said: “It’s a great race and a fantastic weekend in Limerick with Riverfest. Once the race is over, i’d hope some of the competitors would enjoy the other festivities in the city.”

To the city alone, the run is estimated to be worth in the region of €4m, while €1m is anticipated to be raised for good causes.

Riverfest continues into this Sunday evening, with a spectacular fireworks display over the River Shannon from around 10pm.

Qween will play Dolans, while there will be night tours of the River Shannon from outside the Hunt Museum.

The festival ends this Monday.

For more information on what's on, visit: www.limerick.ie/riverfest, and for more pictures, and reaction to the weekend’s events, see Wednesday’s The Leader, and the weekend Limerick Leader editions.

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