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Congrats to all from Athenry AC who successfully competed on the day.  We won the women's team prize while Jane Ann Meehan had a PB and was 5th finisher on what must be considered a very difficult course.  The Garmin does not lie, see here.  Mairead Sullivan & Marie Keary completed the women's team with a great run by Marie to receive her highest placing to date. James Lundon ran his 40th race of the year, with the rest of the competitors this time ;-).  Good to see club stalwart, James Corbett, back on the road again.  Nine athletes from the club competed in this neighbouring AC's club race, on what was a lovely November early afternoon.

A special word for Sean Donner, the oldest man on the roads of Galway, who is back with us again after a long illness.  Many more years of chasing the finish line for him, we all hope!  It was also gratifying to see two other old timers flying again, Roger Rushe (Tuam AC) and Bernie Kelly (GCH).  Both are already in light training for their 13th attempt at the Fields in less than 6 weeks' time.

Congrats to all in East Galway on a fine event.

Finally, A race report from the organiser, Vincent Conway:

The 4th running of the East Galway AC 4 Mile race took place in fabulous weather conditions in Abbeyknockmoy Sunday, 16th November. With conditions being so favourable we did expect a big club turnout for this event. There were significant numbers from our Neighbouring clubs of Athenry AC with 9, Tuam with 10 and, Craughwell with 6 runners but it was disappointing to see that most clubs in Galway failed to support this Club event. Clare River Harriers, Corofin AC, GCH and Loughrea ac all had one representative but all other Galway clubs failed to be turn out.

Despite the obvious lack of Galway club support there was a well accomplished group running and with such a challenging course Mick Fogarty from Athlone Tri-Club posted a very respectable 21:31. He was followed home by Rob Hogan 22:09 and Damien Larkin 22:30, both from Craughwell A.C. The male team prize was won by a magnificent team performance from Tuam AC.

In the Women's Category, Jane Ann Meehan from Athenry AC took the main prize with a not unexpected brilliant time of 23:25 and was followed home by the renowned Physical Trainer Heather Butcher from North Point, Florida in a time of 25:01. Mairead Sullivan from Athenry AC was third in 27:46 It was no wonder then with two such brilliant performances from the Athenry ladies that Athenry AC won the ladies team cup.

Other prize winners were Gearoid Ronan from Athenry who won the O40 M Category. Ryszavol Kobajko won the M50, stalwart runner Andy Talbot of Clare River Harriers won the M60 Category, and two well known runners Roger Rushe Tuam AC and Sean Dooner Western Vets won the M70 and M80 categories respectively. Sean is back on the road after over a year out with illness.

Women's category winners were Deirdre King East Galway AC W40, and Bernie Kelly GCH won the W50 Category.

Special Category award was won by Shauna Bocauet from Craughwell AC

This is definitely a very challenging course and while it is difficult to navigate for the best amongst us, so imagine then how much more difficult it is to compete in it using your hands. It is therefore fantastic and an honour to to have witnessed a very talented Shauna Bocauet from Craughwell AC completing it in 29:44. Manouvering a wheelchair on this difficult route took talent and a tremendous amount of skill.

The organisers would like to thank all the stewards, sandwich makers, An Garda Siochana, Order of Malta and all those who helped in any way to make the running of this event possible. We wish to thaank Athenry AC for the use of their equipment and for their support and to thank Tuam, Athenry, Craughwell, GCH, Corofin Loughrea and Clare River Harriers for sending runners. To all other competing clubs and individuals we say a heartfelt thank you. And we hope to see all of you back again next year. :)

Vincent Conway.

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