Monaghan welcomed hundreds of visitors over the weekend as marathon runners from all over Ireland and the UK gathered to take part in the Monaghan Phoenix marathon festival. On Saturday 75 athletes took to the start line in the first Marathon in their back to back challenge. Conditions for running were perfect with fine weather and Rossmore Forest park in excellent condition. The competitors didn’t seem to be fazed with having to cover 26.2 miles on consecutive days as the pace was fast from the outset. Jonathon McSorley from Donegal …