The persistent rain failed to dampen the spirits of the 155 runners and walkers who took to the streets of Monivea for the second annual running of the 5K course. A further 30 parents and children participated in the family walk ensuring that very age group from 2 to 80 years was represented. All finished with a smile but were glad of the cups of tea and scones dished out by the hardworking volunteers in Monivea Rugby Club in the Community Centre afterwards
Matt Bidwell of GCH fresh from winning 6 out of 6 in the Galway 5K series was hot favourite to repeat his success of last year. However a young man from Limerick had plans of his own and he took the lead right from the off. Nineteen year old Mike Yelverton of Newport AC led the race all the way through to the finish, posting a time of 16:02, closely pursued by Matt Bidwell who finished in 16:06. Michael Shannon of Kilnaboy was third in a time of 16:24.
The women's race was also a closely fought affair with Olivia Nà Shúilleabháin of AIT holding on to post a time of 20:50, followed by Jean O'Connor of GCH in 21:27 and Sinead Brody of Craughwell AC third in a time of 21:23.
Full details of the first 3 men and women are listed here:
Pos Num Time Name Club Category
1 10 16:02 Mike Yelverton Newport AC MS
2 1 16:06 Matt Bidwell GCH MS
3 28 16:24 Michael Shannon Kilnaboy MS
35 25 20:50 Olivia Nà Shúilleabháin AIT WS
36 51 21:07 Jean O'Connor GCH WS
42 1421 21:23 Sinead Brody Craughwell AC WS
The other categories were neatly book-ended by the 15 year old Aaron O'Brien of West Limerick AC who won the Junior Men's category in a phenomenal time of 17:06 and the (equally phenomenal) Sean Dooner who won the M80 category in 37:03. Adam O'Brien repeated his success of last year by being the first Monivea rugby player to come home.
All of the category winners are listed here:
Pos Num Time Name Club Category
5 11 17:06 Aaron O'Brien West Limerick AC MJ
96 31 27:17 Orla Geoghegan No club WJ
6 41 17:11 Martin Corcoran Craughwell M40
79 58 24:54 Majella NiChriochain Trisport W40
23 66 20:00 Martin Kearney Galway C Harriers M50
121 1428 30:17 France Leahy Athenry AC W50
57 73 22:11 Andrew Talbot Clare Riv Harriers M60
94 26 26:50 Mary Doyle Galway C Harriers W60
81 1462 25:06 Roger Rushe Tuam M70
144 40 37:03 Sean Dooner South West Vets M80
61 1476 22:32 Adam O'Brien Monivea RFC Rugby
Monivea RFC committee wish to sincerely thank all of the participants and all of the volunteers who made such a great day possible. We would like to especially thank James Lundon who worked so hard on the timing and results before rushing off to support the Limerick hurlers (hard luck again).
We look forward to seeing you all back in Monivea in 2012.
Tony Killarney - Race Director.
[...a full race result is attached in the usual formats...]
Photos can be found on the
Photos can be found on the Monivea RFC Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Monivea-Rugby-Football-Club/96072516436