Provisional results from the Loughrea 5km now available at http://www.athleticsloughrea.com/node/123

Another week and another great 5km race to enjoy. As someone said to me in Loughrea last night, "We don't realise how 'spoilt' road runners are in Galway". It certainly was a great night for running in balmy is slightly windy conditions. The organisation was once again superb as the experienced and dedicated Loughrea volunteers and officials provided another opportunity for runners and walkers to test temselves over a challenging course.

Let's be fair about this, the 5km route in Loughrea course isn't necessarily one on which you can expect a personal best time. However if you did run fast you can be satisfied that you'll be quicker on a flatter loop. Gerry Ryan and Regina Casey were once again first accross the line in their divisions and it's a great boost to the series to have athletes of their high standard turning up week-in and week-out to join the field.

Behind Gerry and Regina there were some fine performances from Athenry athletes. The fact that over 50 Athenry runner took part was impressive enough to begin with. Alan Burke was heard to mention afterwards that his time 'might be a pb'. His finishing time of 17:18 was certainly an impressive run given the hilly route and the fact that Alan is in marathon training right now and this bodes well for the track and road season ahead.

First Athenry woman past the post was Jane Ann Healy who was putting the final touch to her preparations for the Cork Marathon next week. She can go to that race with confidence having posted a pb of 19:14 last night.

All in all it was a fantastic night out and we owe a great debt of gratitude to Barry Beirne, Darragh O'Brien and all the other Loughrea members and volunteers that made the whole event go so well.

Our thoughts now turn to GCH and the series finale next week...

Peadar Contemplates The Craughwell 5km

Loughrea 5km - Athenry Performances

11 9 17.18 Alan Burke

18 72 17.49 Mick Rice

19 8 17.53 Brian Bruton

21 47 18.04 Larry Kelly

23 54 18.06 Darragh McShane

33 11 18.27 Niall Callanan

34 7 18.28 Mark Breen

41 20 18.57 Gary Doherty

49 40 19.14 Jane Ann Healy

51 10 19.17 Frank Burke

54 15 19.26 Derek Conerney

64 24 19.53 David Dunne

81 50 20.32 James Lundon

83 63 20.36 Jeff Noone

90 46 20.55 Tony Kilarney

95 55 21.02 Mark McDonagh

110 12 21.32 Mark Campbell

144 35 22.46 Valerie Glavin

145 28 22.46 Martina Fahy

147 56 22.49 Breege McGath

152 64 23.04 Maeve Noone

157 71 23.14 Bob Reilly

162 5 23.19 Maire Treasa Beatty

164 70 23.21 Deirdre Quinn

167 69 23.23 Michelle Power

182 45 23.35 Paul Keane

189 6 23.43 Grainne Breen

198 58 23.50 Cathal McLaughlin

204 38 24.00 Sinead Goaley

215 60 24.16 Brid Moran

218 522 24.24 Edward Egan

226 31 24.50 Debbie Flynn

232 67 24.58 Catherine O'Halloran

237 79 25.07 Michelle Tooher

243 43 25.12 Pearce Hunter

246 41 25.21 Maria Hehir

259 53 25.37 Noreen McNamara

260 29 25.37 Assumpta Feeney

274 27 26.00 Liam Egan

275 42 26.01 Anne Hunter

276 77 26.08 Niamh Tierney

278 37 26.12 Lyall Guiney

285 34 26.39 Treasa Gannon

287 18 26.40 Owen Curran

308 39 27.43 Deirdre Hassett

309 482 27.51 Martha Stundon

332 520 28.57 Denise Connaughton

343 30 29.45 Cathal Feeney

348 76 30.12 Mel Stanley

349 61 30.13 Aisling Murray

351 48 30.16 Sebastien Locteau

369 78 31.35 Orla Tierney

385 26 33.39 Frances Egan

390 68 34.59 Jennifer O'Reilly