I don't even know what the latest one is called but running in storms has become increasingly frustrating over the last two months and, unfortunately, it shows no sign of letting up for a few weeks yet. The only positive I can muster up....well it gives us the opportunity to over use some favourite running quotations.

"Ah it's early season, I'm not running for times yet."

"Ya know it's actually a great way to race, toughens you up for the hard season ahead."

"It wasn't near as bad as what I trained it yesterday."

"I knew I wasn't on a time so I tucked in behind a big lad and cruised home."

....and my personal favourite overheard while drinking my well earned coffee in the school after: "You know I think I actually peed meself a bit at one stage but sure twas so miserable out there nobody noticed."

I won't say which one of the over 170 souls that braved the elemants uttered the last statement but I duly spit my coffee on the wall in a fit of the giggles and at last could smile on a tough day.

There was a great turn out for the kids race at 11 o'clock and the main event kicked off right on time at 12 bells. The course itself is very fair and if not for the brutal wind in the face for the second two miles there may well have been some fast times. The race was won by Damien Larkin of Craughwell in a time of 23:22 with the first lady Yvonne Fehily coming home in 27:23.

There was a great turnout from Athenry with 13 runners from the club getting to the start line, a great mix of club stalwarts and newbies. Smashing to see so many racing early in the season, all signs point to a good year ahead. See results below to see how they all fared on the day.

Finally, a big thank you to main organisers Harry Monson, Kevin Quirke and Mary Porter for putting on a great race in such tough conditions and an absolutely top class spread afterwards, I don't think I've ever been as stuffed after a race. If this race could get lucky with the weather I'm certain it would pull in huge numbers. Four years down and plenty more ahead.

Ronan McCarthy.

Full result here and attached.

Images are here.