UPDATE: Two sets of iamges are availabel from the day:
John O'Connor - http://www.flickr.com/photos/edenhill77/sets/72157625417436162/
John McManus - http://johnny.photium.com/portfolio133726.html
Over 100 hardy souls took part in the first road race in Corofin in over 24 years yesterday afternoon. In fact at laest one of the organisers of the short-lived corofin road races of the mid-80s was also involved yesterday afternoon! At least one runner likewise, Jim Donnelly of Ballyhaunis. Andrew Talbot also recalls running one of his best ever 10KMs there in 1985 but that's a story for another day, as is the work he did in measuring road race courses pre-Jones Counter.
Corofin AC got a brilliant day for the event and with the help of much of the local community, put on a fantastic show piece. It is a race we are likely to see become part of the local road race calendar for years to come.
Registration took place in the Fr. Duggan Hall, with the start just over the bridge on the other side of the village. The finish line was over-right the hall, so finishers only had to stagger a few yards further for their complimentary cup of tea, sandwich, cut of cake or/and biscuit. All finishers were given an engraved medal, with the winners getting an extra special medal and a piece of embossed cut crystal from a Aran Crystal, a local business located in Cummer just over the way.
Matt Bidwell (GCH) was well clear at the finish with Keith Fallon (GCH) not that far behind as first Junior. There followed three more GCH singlets, led home by local man John O'Brien (first - M40). First woman home was also from GCH, Helen Corbett while second and third places were filled by Thelma McMahon (Loughrea) and Aideen de Paor (GCH) respectively.
The category prizes were won by many of the usual suspects. Martin O'Donnell (CRH) was first M50 while Mayo AC's Tom Hunt was right behind him as first M60. Bernie Mulryan was first F40 while the ageless(!) Bernie Kelly was first F50. There's word out the west that Bernie has a contract out for an extension to her house to carry all the stuff she's won over the many years she's been on the local road race circuit.
A full result (see attached as XLS, DOC and PDF) was produced within 75 minutes of the start of the race and the prize giving was finished less than 15 minutes later, allowing people away to enjoy the rest of their afternoon. It only started raining as the last people were finishing around one hour in.
Main organisers, Tommy and Marragher Farragher, were delighted with the way the event went. So they should be! Corofin AC are the 7th club to organise a permitted road race in Galway in 2010!