The annual Autumn Loughrea road race has a long and distinguished history. Sonia O'Sullivan ran there twice when it was a 5-miler with Paula Radcliffe joining her one of those years. Much further back in the early 1980s, Seb Coe beat Eamon Coughlin by the width of a singlet in a sprint finish when both were at the peak of their powers.
Now a 10k, the race weaves a winding and hilly route right round the lake. Gary Thornton won this year in 31:10, a full four minutes clear of Peadar Harvey of Craughwell. Ray Somers took fourth place with a total of 19 Athenry AC athletes competing. Several of them ran from Athenry and completed 16 miles before starting the race. Martin O'Hara didn't let that bother him and did a good 47:35 despite his tiredness, with Kieran Guirey, Deirdre Quinn, and Kenneth O'Hara a couple of minutes behind.
Other Athenry athletes participating included Sharon Collins, Marie Keating, Sheelagh Earls, Genevieve Odindo, Anette Minou, Fiona Lane, and Lorna Freeman. For the record, Frank Noone finished ahead of Philip Magnier!
See results at http://www.redtagtiming.com/