Former London marathon winner, Catherina McKiernan, was the first woman home in the inaugural Conamara 10k, coming in less than a minute behind overall winner, Damien Ridge of Galway City Harriers, who won in a time of 36:34. McKiernan, who was at the event to start the race, made a last-minute decision to run, a decision that turned out to be fruitful.

Race organisers hailed the first edition of the Conamara 10k, held in Carna, Co. Galway on Saturday, as an overwhelming success, with just under 200 participants registering. The race, which saw runners cross over onto Muighnis island, saw 174 people take part on the day, with a mixture of runners, joggers and walkers. The course is among the most scenic in Ireland, starting in Carna village, and running along the Atlantic before turning at Muighnis’s remote graveyard on the sea’s edge.

A series of short runs for children attracted about 50 kids, and the weekend was topped off by a chi-running workshop given by Catherina McKiernan. 10k Chonamara was organised by Connemara-based triathlon club, TrĂ­SpĂłrt, and is now set to become an annual event.

“We are delighted with the number of entrants, and the feedback from runners has been overwhelmingly positive,” said race director, Rónán Mac Con Iomaire. “Our plan is ensure that 10k Chonamara becomes an annual event, providing a top-class race for runners in the west, and providing the Carna area with an off-season tourism boost.”

With race-goers travelling from the US and Britain, as well as from all over Ireland, accommodation in the area was booked out, with businesses receiving a welcome late-season bonus.

The winners of the race received the 10k Chonamara trophy, €100, and a sports massage voucher. There were also age category prizes, as well as an award for the first three local finishers and a team prize.

Results:

1st Male: Damien Ridge (Galway City Harriers)

2nd Male: Richard Farnan (RCSI Running Club)

3rd Male: Neil O Conaill (St Finbarrs)

1st Female: Catherina McKiernan

2nd Female: Teresa Tuohy (Bilboa AC)

3rd Female: Marie Boyle (TrĂ­SpĂłrt)

M40: Seamus McCann (AIT AC)

M50: Martin O Donnell (Clare River Harriers)

M60: Paddy O’Hora (Ballina)

F40: Una Mac Dughbhaill (TrĂ­SpĂłrt)

F50: Bernie Kelly (Galway City Harriers)

F60: Nora Cooke/Bridie Gorham

Team: Clifden GAA

Local:

1st: Pat Dirrane (TrĂ­SpĂłrt)

2nd: Sean Nee (Clifden GAA)

3rd: Niall Coyne (Carna Caiseal)