Galway Bay 10km, Half Marathon and Marathon all kicked off on this morning. The race started and finished alongside the famous Claddagh Quay on the edge of Galway City. The Marathon was the first race of the day starting at 9.00am. Weather conditions were perfect (although it felt a bit cold while standing around!). 203 runners lined up to take on the course, a lovely flat route of 4 laps.

Barry Minnock from Rathfarnham WSAF won the race in 2.27.35 less than half a minute ahead of Gary O'Hanlon of Clonliffe Harriers 2.27.56 with Brian Leahy of Raheny Shamrock AC taking 3rd place in 2.33.43. From Athenry AC Mike Rice finished 5th in 2.50.57 followed by Adam Leadbetter finishing in 8th place and secured a PB of 2.56.40 in the process. Also from the club Mark Flannery 3.58.23 and George Livanos 4.04.29.

Nicola Cosgrave was first to cross the line for the ladies finishing in 18th place overall in a time of 3.19.21. Second place was secured by Annmarie Connell 3.22.35 and third place Maria Hayes 3.30.56. Valerie Glavin looking very fresh following her 100 mile race in London recently completed the race in 3.54.26.

Next to line up were the 10km runners which had more competitors than the other two distances. 1,367 athletes ran a single loop of the route. Starting at 9.30am the athletes were cheered by locals across the distance.

David McCarthy, West Waterford won the race clocking 31.15. Hot on his heels was Conor Dooney just 9 seconds behind finishing in 31.2. Ray Hynes Donore Harriers took 3rd place in 32.10.

Siobhan O'Doherty from Borrisokane was the first lady home in 35.10 with Martina Kiely of St Finbarrs AC taking second place in 36.26 and local lady Regina Casey GCH 36.46 was third. Our own local runners from Athenry AC were Miriam Wall 44.43, Marie Cronnelly got a PB 52.53 having returned from injury recently and was delighted! Jane Mangan also got a PB 53.01 following her PB in Loughrea 8km last Sunday! Well done Jane! and Marie Coyne completed the distance in 56.40.

The final race of todays event was the Half Marathon which took in 2 laps of the course. 1,104 athletes gathered at 11.15am to run the 13.1 miles. Temperatures had risen by about 2 degrees at this stage and the weather was perfect!

The race was won by Clonliffe Harriers Prodius Roman in 1.06.04. Less than half a minute behind was John Travers of Donore Harriers finishing in 1.06.31 and in 3rd place David McCarthy of West Waterford 1.07.43. There was a good turn out from the club in this race. David Meehan finished in 18th place overall in 1.21.51 a PB on the back of his Athlone half PB only 3 weeks ago! Michael Duane also got a PB 1.28.34, David Noone 1.29.46, Kenneth O'Dea running his first sub 90 min clocking 1.29.44 PB, Patrick Kelly 1.34.03, Brendan Galvin 1.34.04, Tomasz Kadzielawski 1.36.58, Brian Burke 1.51.28 also getting a PB today on the back of his 3 min PB in Athlone in Sept.

Galway City Harriers ladies took all 3 podium places, Grainne Ni Uallachain GCH won the race in 1.27.1, Barbara Dunne GCH 1.28.15 and Siobhan Egan GCH 1.28.47. Athenry AC also had a number of ladies running the 10km Maire Leader getting a PB 1.46.07, Dorcas Whitney 1.55.03

Louise Walshe running her first sub 2hr half clocking in 1.58.30 PB, Mags Reddington 2.00.47 and Pamela Lee running her first half marathon 2.27.14 PB

A great turn out from the club today and half of those who ran got PB's. Well done all!