Well that was hard!

With the inclement weather all day prior to this race we were guaranteed a smaller entry than last week but still had 640 starters in Loughrea for the second leg of this years series. Whilst the rain stayed away for the race the runners faced into a tough wind for the first 2.5km until they turned back towards Loughrea & 'The Hill'.

The climb from 3 - 4km in this race has nearly taken on mythical proportions in terms of the 5km series with differing strategies on how to deal with it. But what goes up must come down & the long fast drop back to the finish line ensured that times this week were generally faster than last weeks opener on a flat Athenry course.

Peter O' Sullivan was first home in a time of 16.09 followed by Conor Dolan & last weeks winner, John Greany, both of GCH.

For the second week in a row Lyall & Ray were the first two Athenry runners home (& in identical times to last week) whilst Jane-Ann & Sinead were first two Athenry women home. There were plenty of PB's again this week with Siobhan Guinan continuing her hot streak by taking another 1 minute off her PB from last week with a 20.47 (don't be surprised when she runs sub-20 by the end of this series). Pat McDonagh also picked up a PB whilst Mick Duane dipped under the 19mins for the first time.

Did everyone get their first mile time to commemorate Bannister's sub-4 exactly 60 years before?

Next up is Maree. Whilst not the flattest of courses it's definitely not one I'd call hilly & there should be plenty of PB's generated next week.

Results located here.