It was a day to dig deep! With a vicious headwind for much of the course this wasn’t a day for PB racing, it was a war of attrition.
With recent club front runners Ray Somers (not racing) & Mick Rice (carrying an injury) taking it easy today, it was fair game for the rest of Athenry to stake a claim as top dog. For much of the race it looked like Jane-Ann Meehan had it sewn up until Mr Duracell Bunny, aka David Noone, pipped her to it on the run in, pulling clear by 8 seconds with a time of 31.14 & enough for 6th position overall. This was only eight days after his sub four performance at the 50k national championships plus running up & DOWN Croagh Patrick in 69 minutes on Thursday. Imagine what he could do if he was fresh!
It was still a good day at the office for Jane-Ann as she was first female home in a time of 31.22, nearly a full minute ahead of Sinead Foran & giving Athenry a one-two in the womens race. Neither woman is a stranger to this course with Jane-Ann winning here back in 2012 & Sinead taking a second here last year too. Sinead can take solace in the fact that in tough conditions today she improved her time over last year by nearly a minute, a time which would have given her 1st position last year. Completing the podium today was last year’s winner & former Athenry athlete, Sinead Brody, now GCH.
The men’s race was won by Athlone Tri Club member, Mick Fogarty, in a time of 27.59, nearly two minutes ahead of second placed Paul Keane. Mick is also no stranger to podium finishes as he finished 2nd to Matt Bidwell in Maree only a few weeks ago. Damian Larkin of Craughwell AC completed the podium.
This race is always well supported by the club and today was no different as 31 members lined up at the start line. Tiernan Burke easily made up for his father’s absence today, competing in his first race at this distance he finished in a very credible 36.54, showing both mum & dad how it’s done.
Two more new names appeared under the banner of Athenry AC on today’s results with both Sinead Cummiskey & Paul Hegarty appearing in the maroon & white for the first time. There were also plenty of established members appearing today too , all with various objectives. Philip Magnier - preparing for the Paris marathon in six weeks time; Deirdre Quinn - get to the finish line after a recent injury absence & Pat McDonagh – testing out the calf after his latest round of dry needling (ouch).
As always the spread afterwards in this race is worth the pain of the tough weather. Pat Forde & crew put on a great race in aid of various charities every year & should be commended. This year’s charity partner is the very worthy ACT for Meningitis, a local group whose main aim is to raise awareness about this life changing & deadly disease.
A few words from the race director;
It was a truly great day. After all the rain the sun actually came out for a while to welcome the 230 plus runners and walkers to Kilconieron this afternoon. There was a great buzz in Carrabane when Niall let the huge crowd off just after 12. The pace was quick at the start but a biting headwind on the mid section really ate into the gains made earlier. Running in miles is still somewhat a novelty and the mile markers are few and far between. The motivation signs were helping but runners and walkers alike were glad to be out of the wind at the water station. After the turn for home the wind was at people's backs and the big Hill at the end beckoned. But once the runners could hear Mary Porters voice they were home and dry.
First man Home was Mick Fogarty from Athlone Tri who is showing a recent rich vein of form to blitz the field. He was followed by last year's winner Paul Keane and third was craughwell youngster Damien Larkin. The winner of the ladies was our own Jane Ann Meehan followed by Sinead Foran and Sinead Brody was third. Well done all. All finishing times available on redtagtiming.com.
The committee would like to acknowledge all those who participated in today’s race and contributed to the charity Act for Meningitis. The atmosphere was electric and everybody seemed to have a good run or walk. Thanks you to the many volunteers who came out and helped on the day, all the parkers, the marshals, and the wonderful caterers who gave up their mornings and most of yesterday cooking the fantastic food. To Chris for his technical input, notching us up another level this year, to the local Athletics Clubs for all their help, to Niamh and Ciaran at the Gate Lodge and all our sponsors who are mentioned on our website kilconieroncharityrun.com and of course to Mary Porter for a wonderful job. A big thank you also to all the younger people who helped with the cleanup. A memorable day was had by all.
See you in 2015! Keep on Running!
Patrick Forde.
Kilconieron Athletics Committee.
After the commotion of today’s racing & prize giving had died down there was also the matter of a few shaven & dyed heads to contend with. Some local’s, including our own Ronan ‘Speedy’ McCarthy were taking part in the annual Today FM ‘Shave or Dye’ campaign to raise funds for the Irish Cancer Society. The word was that Ronan was going bright red.....................here’s the result.
