The Tuam 8k race in January is the long-established kick-off for running in the new year in Galway and a barometer for individual runners of where they stand in relation to fitness. (Officially it has been replaced by the excellent Resolution 5k but in practice that race is part of the festive season of good cheer, wine, and smiles).

Typically Tuam sees a lot of cold wintery blasts and red cheeks and 2013 was no exception. I can't remember a race held in colder conditions. Despite this many of the runners ran in singlets, though most had their leggings and warm tops well in place. Thirty five ran under the Athenry colours with fully 19 of us in the 30 to 36 minute band of finishers.

Sinéad Foran was top placed Athenry woman of the day, and she took fourth place overall in the women's race, and first in the o/35 category, with a fast new personal best of 32:31.

Special mention to Owen Curran who can't train nearly as hard as he used to with injury concerns. Nevertheless, he managed a fine 30:36, and welcome back to Darragh McShane with 30:24 and David Dunne (now in M40) on 34:03, both missing from the scene in recent days.

As usual, it was left to the Athenry women to pick up the silverware on offer with a 2nd place in the overall team category. Congratulations to the quartet of Sinead Foran, Sinead Brody, Miriam Wall, and Deirdre Hassett, all of whom registered good times.

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Thanks to Brendan Monaghan and company of Tuam for hosting this great race and for being practical enough to include running socks as the goody bag for competitors.

See results at http://www.redtagtiming.com/ - also attached!