Official result and prizes attached!
The Monivea Half Marathon and 5km took place today, Saturday 28 June.
The 5km is in its 6th year and the half marathon in its 3rd. The half marathon was the official County Galway AAI Championship Half for 2015 and Gold, Silver and Bronze medals were presented to 1st, 2nd and 3rd places in addition to the usual cash prizes in all categories.
There was a very impressive turnout from the club with over 40 athletes taking part. The maroon and white singlets were everywhere to be seen! Some members of Fit4Life ran their first 5km race today which was a great achievement considering the short length of time some of them have been running. For others it was their first time running a Half Marathon, again no mean feat!
The 5km saw approx 15 athletes from the club take part in this year's race. Three members of Fit4Life, Claire Brady, Stephanie McDonagh and Sonya Broderick ran their first 5km race and all finished very strong. Well done ladies! Mark Walsh from Leevale AC was first to cross the line in 17.56 with Athenry's Ray Sommers in second place 18.45. Hot on Rays heels Danny Carr GCH was third in 18.53. In fourth place but also first M40 was David Evans 19.04. This was the second year Cathal Duffy ran the race and his first race since Claregalway 5km series. Despite being out of training Cathal enjoyed the run and completed the race in 26.11. Tammie Corrigan finishing 9th overall and took the honours for the ladies 21.36, Rena Stankard was second 24.33 and Athenry's Sheila Kelly claimed third place in 25.16. Brenda Lennon was first F40 in 27.25. Claire Brady (first 5km race) 31.15, Olivia Gilmore 31.19, Fiona Loughnane 31.43, Lorna Joyce 31.43, Pamela Lee 32.21, Diane Collins 32.44, Sonya Briderick (first 5km race) 33.30, Stephanie McDonagh (first 5km race) 34.58.
Approx 40 members from the club ran the Half Marathon. The route remained the same as last year with a few unexpected surprises en route! Everyone faced the challenge of strong winds and rolling hills on parts of the course. In addition a number of runners had to contend with a herd of cows crossing the course despite the best efforts of lead cyclist Jim Leahy to hold them back!! Oliver Mullins from Craughwell AC completed the distance in 1.21.02 securing a gold county medal. Adam Leadbetter Athenry AC was a very happy man having earned a silver coming home in second place in 1.21.32. Longford AC's Kevin Ward took bronze in 1.22.13. Gearoid Rohan Athenry AC finishing fourth overall also won 1st place M40.
Jane Ann Meehan took the gold medal for the ladies 1.23.37, Roisin Farragher was second in 1.30.43 and AIT AC's Deirdre Kenna ran 1.34.04 to take the bronze medal. Clare Rowe GCH was 1st W40 in a time of 1.36.05 with Athenry's Mary Kealy finishing first W50 only seconds behind Clare in 1.36.13. Rodney Bell completed his first half marathon, feeling better than expected at the 9 mile marker Rod continued to push on and finished in 27th place overall in 1.34.14. Well done Rod! Ollie Kyne was targeting a sub 2.30 half but ran a very strong race and was delighted with his finishing time of 2.09.14. Well done Ollie! Patrick Forde's race didn't go according to plan but despite than he still enjoy the race. Before the race Patrick met many old friends and some new friends and said "the craic was great!!" Patrick finished in 1.48.04. Orla McCluskey ran a very strong race which resulted in a PB 1.54.40 (nice one Orla!).
There was plenty of post race nutrition available in the community hall afterwards. And a variety of Glenisk Yogurts were readily available in a variety of flavours which Patrick Forde described as a real thrill! And to complete the event there was the presentation of county medals to both race and category winners. Well done to all and hope to see you back again next year! Photos on Facebook.