The bustling and vibrant tourist town of Clifden was the setting on Sunday the 3rd of June 2012 for the 2nd annual Sky Road 10K Challenge. Over 160 participants were signed up for the big day. The route took participants on a tour of the famed SKY ROAD which is widely acknowledged as the most scenic route in all of Connemara and indeed as one of the most scenic routes in Ireland.
On the morning of the race Clifden was alive with activity as the race coincides yearly with the June Bank holiday weekend, which is traditionally one of the busiest weekends of the summer season. The running conditions were perfect and with a prize fund of in excess of €1,500 on offer participants were buzzing with pre race energy!
The race itself proved to be a slightly prospect than the previous years as although the day was quite sunny, it was brisk and the dead heat of the previous year was not a factor, and to this end the participants times reflected this.
The race was won by Michael O Connor with Matt Bidwell finishing second and Stephen Moore third, the winning time of 33.07 smashed the previous year’s record and was evidence of the caliber of runners involved.
The first Female home was Helen Corbett in a time of 40.20, with Sinead Roche and Caroline Cotterall finishing second and third respectively.
In addition €50 prizes were also awarded to fastest Male and Female walker, fastest veteran, fastest fancy dress and a special €50 prize was added on the day for our youngest participant Alex Mullen who at 10 years of age made a superhuman effort to get around the course and was welcomed across the finish line to rapturous applause from the crowd.
The race was again a great success and a wonderful family day out. All involved are again looking forward to next year’s Sky Road 10K challenge on the Sunday of the June Bank Holiday weekend 2013.ants on a tour of the famed SKY ROAD which is widely acknowledged as the most scenic route in all of Connemara and indeed as one of the most scenic routes in all of Ireland.
Full result is located here: http://www.redtagtiming.com/results/SkyRoad10km_Clifden_Results2012.pdf
