Sunday 27th Jan 2008 will go down in Galway road racing history as the day that 100 non competitive athletes took to the roads of Craughwell with one main goal get past the finishing line.

Thanks to Tony Nevin from Craughwell ac who had the initiative and dedication to organise this race for all Fit4Life members from Athenry Craughwell and Galway.

Registration began at 11.30 at St Michaels Hall and by 12.30 there was a real buzz of excitement and nerves. As the sun shone like it was booked for the day everybody headed to the start line. Cars slowed down to see where all the action was coming from and there was even some hooting of horns as the anxious participants jogged and walked to the start line.

Thomas Porter organised all the pacers at the start line and people grouped into their groups. The real atmosphere at the start line reminded me a lot of the May series last year which would have been my first introduction to road racing. Alot of anxiety, nervousness and excitement , people wondering which group they should slot themselves into , should they start slow or fast , were they wearing too much clothes or would they be cold – no fear of that with the day that we were given.

The whistle blew and off we went. Being one of the pacers for me was a challenge in itself. I think the watch was checked every 20 secs but it was wonderful to be part of it all. Some were mad to take off and a gentle reminder had to be given there is 4.5k ahead so save yourself. First km passes by. Just after the first km we see the pacer for 34mins pass us by – big panic is my watching working did I press the wrong button checked the time 6mins 30 secs – ok relief we are in the right place.

A few moments of panic for all but once we checked the watch and confirmed that we were on track we were back to putting one leg in front of the other.

Turned the corner off the main road and up the hill – lean into to it ,shorten the stride and pump those arm. All the advice I got when I started out was beginning to come back to me. 2km sign and still had most of my crew with me and some had passed me out. The next 2km went without incident and while one or two had fallen back with the advice take it at your own pace you can make it. I must admit your gut instinct is to stay with them but I knew I had a job on hand .

4km and while the heat was beginning to take its toll to see the 4km mark revitalised them. One or two took off and I still had two girls who were really giving 110% at this stage. The finish line comes into sight and the two girls take off. The cheering and the encouragement from the crowd give them the final lift that was needed to get them across that line.

The excitement and relief at the finish line was uplifting to say the least. For most this was their first road race and a real challenge. Many didn’t believe they could finish and I am delighted to say that everybody finished, weary and tired but finished which was the aim of the day. It made all the preparation worth while on the wet and dark evenings and for us leaders it is a true reward to see the enjoyment that everybody got out of it and the want to come back and do more training. While 3miles may seem like a short run to many of our members it was the fear of the unknown that made this a marathon for many.

Craughwell AC Fit4Life road race will be remembered by many as their introduction to road racing. If all the clubs in Ireland recruit the same numbers into their Fit4Life program as the three Galway clubs AAI membership will have doubled.

A win win situation for all.

Results , Photographs to follow

Position Name Club No Time

1 David Clarke Craughwell 87 00:19:54

2 Billy King GCH 115 00:19:54

3 Justin Niland Craughwell 193 00:20:14

4 Caroline Clancy Loughrea 88 00:20:36

5 Derek Conerney Athenry 133 00:21:31

6 Bill Doran Craughwell 131 00:21:56

7 Emer Glynn Athenry 152 00:21:58

8 Carmel Brannigan GCH 76 00:22:03

9 Gerard Keane GCH 147 00:22:03

10 David Callaghan GCH 143 00:22:20

11 Tom Hawkins #N/A 00:22:25

12 PACER GCH 102 00:22:32

13 Don Deacy GCH 102 00:22:37

14 Enda Collins Craughwell 110 00:23:03

15 Johnny Nevin Craughwell 118 00:23:09

16 Vincent Martin Craughwell 144 00:23:11

17 Joseph O'Neill GCH 100 00:23:12

18 Marua Egan Craughwell 126 00:23:13

19 Nicola Deacy GCH 101 00:23:28

20 Joe Arkins GCH 184 00:23:39

21 PACER Craughwell 112 00:23:55

22 Jarlath Niland Craughwell 112 00:24:41

23 Siobhan Glynn Loughrea 129 00:24:45

24 Oliver Niland Craughwell 195 00:24:48

25 Lorna Gilmartin Athenry 197 00:24:57

26 Sheila Reilly Loughrea 120 00:25:19

27 Eamonn Corless Craughwell 111 00:25:23

28 Rochelle Howell GCH 77 00:25:29

29 Egan Walter GCH 95 00:25:30

30 David Tierney Craughwell 80 00:25:46

31 Dave Greaney Craughwell 134 00:25:59

32 PACER #N/A 00:26:03

33 James Gleeson Craughwell 84 00:26:26

34 Declan Duggan Craughwell 94 00:26:32

35 Pauline Murray Athenry 127 00:26:43

36 Gina Concannon GCH 81 00:26:56

37 Peggy Lynch Craughwell 138 00:27:06

38 Orla Davis Craughwell 106 00:27:09

39 PACER Craughwell 97 00:27:16

40 Maire Doyle Craughwell 97 00:27:16

41 Eve Daly GCH 75 00:27:18

42 Niamh Tierney Athenry 151 00:27:19

43 Karen Guest Craughwell 109 00:27:25

44 Yvonne Clarke Craughwell 86 00:27:27

45 Maria Murphy GCH 116 00:27:28

46 Frank Burke Athenry 86 00:27:30

47 Kathleen Waters Craughwell 125 00:27:59

48 Muiriosa Ni Cumhaill Craughwell 148 00:28:00

49 Pat Reidy Craughwell 192 00:28:18

50 PACER Craughwell 00:28:19

51 Edel Ryan Athenry 196 00:28:30

52 Stella McGrath Tuam 139 00:28:36

53 Therese McNamee GCH 93 00:28:37

54 Brian McGee Craughwell 124 00:28:43

55 Maura Dunne GCH 82 00:28:47

56 Paula Newell GCH 103 00:29:36

57 Lorraine Creaven Craughwell 187 00:29:41

58 Una Carleton Craughwell 189 00:29:43

59 Frank Noone Athenry 117 00:29:49

60 Sharon Allen Craughwell 122 00:29:53

61 Julie Gallaghar Craughwell 137 00:29:54

62 PACER Craughwell 98 00:29:56

63 Sheila Cannon Craughwell 191 00:30:00

64 Keith Devane Craughwell 136 00:30:06

65 PACER #N/A 00:30:08

66 Assumpta Feeney Athenry 78 00:30:11

67 Phillip Greer GCH 105 00:30:30

68 Mary Murphy Athenry 188 00:30:36

69 Pauline McQueen Craughwell 85 00:30:42

70 Helena Gorman Craughwell 135 00:30:47

71 Maeve Noone Athenry 00:30:50

72 Caroline Delaney GCH 90 00:32:18

73 Siobhan McMahon Craughwell 149 00:32:22

74 Noreen Cooley Athenry 114 00:32:41

75 Ann-Marie Ruane Athenry 145 00:33:01

76 Emer Seery Athenry 186 00:33:02

77 Joyce Conlon Athenry 153 00:33:16

78 Michael Glynn Athenry 119 00:33:40

79 Petra McGough Craughwell 83 00:34:22

80 Cepta Daly Athenry 96 00:34:53

81 Catriona Geraghty #N/A 00:34:54

82 Brenda Gaughan Craughwell 99 00:34:56

83 Caroline Heffernan Craughwell 141 00:35:15

84 Norma O'Rourke Craughwell 142 00:35:15

85 Maria Hehir Athenry 00:35:22

86 Dolores McInerney GCH 121 00:36:08

87 Patricia Carr GCH 92 00:36:09

88 Caroline Niland Craughwell 194 00:36:10

89 Sandra O'Toole Craughwell 190 00:36:12

90 Jasmine Tobin Craughwell 108 00:36:53

91 Juanita Tobin Craughwell 107 00:36:55

92 Norrie Coen Athenry 130 00:37:02

93 Mel Stanley Athenry 123 00:37:44

94 Cathal Feeney Athenry 79 00:38:51

95 Anne Gannon GCH 91 00:38:52

96 Nuala Fitzpatrick Craughwell 150 00:43:11

97 Catherine Cleary Craughwell 140 00:43:13

98 Ciara Lynch GCH 128 00:43:16

99 Rosmary Tobin Craughwell 113 00:46:04