Building on the success of the recent Fit4Life 5km race in Craughwell the women (and one or two men) of the Athenry Fit4Life group made their own contribution to the ever growing success of this style of running and walking. Established by the AAI to provide absolutely everyone, irrespective of age or ability, an opportunity to get involved in some enjoyable exercise in a friendly atmosphere, the Fit4Life programme has been a huge success all around Co.Galway.

Spearheaded by Maeve Noone, Maria Hehir and Alan Burke the Athenry AC based group has gone from strength to further strength over the winter months and promises to grow even further now that the weather is improving.

As is to be expected with a Fit4Life event the atmosphere was friendly as runners assembled at the community hall in Newcastle just outside Athenry last Sunday for the very first Athenry AC Fit4Life 5k race. There was a great 'buzz' around the place as race numbers were pinned on and gentle stretching prepared over seventy enthusiastic runners and walkers for the task ahead. The weather was thankfully bright, though slightly chilly, as people lined up facing back towards Athenry and the gun went off to send them on their way.

The organisers had arranged for a number of experienced runners to pace groups of participants who had particular target times but many others concentrated on the task of completing the course in their own time.

Before long happy faces were streaming over the finish line back in Newcastle and the hungry hoards returned to the community hall for hot tea and sandwiches. There were smiles all around and for anyone there it would have been obvious why this programme has proven such a hit all over the country.

Congratulations to each and every athlete who took part on the day and we sincerely hope to see you at further events over the summer months.

Great credit goes to Maria Hehir, Maeve Noone and Alan Burke in particular for organising this race but also to a large number of other Fit4Lifers and Athenry club members who contributed to the success of the day.

Just to be there was to feel good about being a runner.

OFFICIAL RESULT (XLS and PDF also attached)

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Fit4Life (Athenry) 5KM - Fit4Life - Sunday 2 March 2008. 1:00 pm

Pos Time Name Team Num

1 0:20:04 CONERNEY, Derek Athenry AC 1115

2 0:20:33 BEIRNE, Barry Loughrea AC 1107

3 0:20:56 DEELEY, Oliver Border Ramblers 1106

4 0:21:10 CLANCY, Caroline Loughrea AC 1125

5 0:21:15 BYRNE, Fergal Tuam AC 1108

6 0:21:59 PACER, A 999

7 0:22:40 NILAND, Jarlath Craughwell AC 1948

8 0:22:45 WHYTE, Tara Clonliffe Harriers 1123

9 0:22:46 PURCEY, Owen Galway City Harriers 1124

10 0:22:49 KEANE, Gerard Galway City Harriers 1933

11 0:22:52 GREANEY, Dave Galway City Harriers 1927

12 0:22:57 O'NEILL, Joe Galway City Harriers 1101

13 0:23:14 MCGOUGH, Petra Craughwell AC 1941

14 0:23:43 PACER, A 999

15 0:23:57 TIERNEY, David Craughwell AC 1102

16 0:24:32 CLANCY, Joseph Loughrea AC 1126

17 0:24:34 LALLY, Linda Galway City Harriers 1934

18 0:24:36 BRADY, Irene Athenry AC 1902

19 0:24:40 NILAND, Oliver Craughwell AC 1122

20 0:24:50 PACER, A 999

21 0:25:02 DUGGAN, Declan Galway City Harriers 1916

22 0:25:12 WALDRON, Rosalie Galway City Harriers 1965

23 0:25:30 MURPHY, Michelle Galway City Harriers 1945

24 0:25:46 MURPHY, Maria Galway City Harriers 1946

25 0:26:05 DAVIS, Orla Craughwell AC 1113

26 0:26:12 GUEST, Karen Craughwell AC 1929

27 0:26:14 GOALEY, Sinead Athenry AC 1926

28 0:26:16 REIDY, Pat Craughwell AC 1116

29 0:26:26 PACER, A 999

30 0:26:29 O'GORMAN, Valerie Galway City Harriers 1954

31 0:26:55 HAWKINS, Emma Craughwell AC 1930

32 0:27:19 LANE, Maria Craughwell AC 1935

33 0:27:20 NOONE, Frank Athenry AC 1951

34 0:27:24 STEWART-MCDERMOTT, Sara Galway City Harriers 1962

35 0:27:40 CUNNINGHAM, Siobhan Galway City Harriers 1912

36 0:27:56 O'REGAN, Charlotte Craughwell AC 1955

37 0:28:00 FEENEY, Assumpta Athenry AC 1918

38 0:28:04 KELLY, Paula Galway City Harriers 1111

39 0:28:04 FALLON, Breda Galway City Harriers 1917

40 0:28:09 MULQUEEN, Pauline Athenry AC 1944

41 0:28:10 PACER, A 999

42 0:28:14 RYAN, Tara Galway City Harriers 1119

43 0:28:15 DEVANE, Keith Craughwell AC 1915

44 0:28:20 MALONEY, Helen Galway City Harriers 1103

45 0:28:22 ALLEN, Sharon Craughwell AC 1901

46 0:28:34 COSTELLO, Grainne Athenry AC 1911

47 0:28:49 COLLINS, Enda Craughwell AC 1906

48 0:29:05 GREER, Philip Galway City Harriers 1928

49 0:29:08 CALLANAN, Niamh Craughwell AC 1904

50 0:29:12 GALLAGHER, Julie Craughwell AC 1921

51 0:29:25 NEWELL, Paula Galway City Harriers 1117

52 0:29:25 WALSH, Mandy Galway City Harriers 1112

53 0:29:26 HAYES, Catherine Galway City Harriers 1931

54 0:29:44 VEASEY, Aisling Galway City Harriers 1118

55 0:29:46 PACER, A 999

56 0:29:49 WORTHINGTON, Liam Athenry AC 1966

57 0:29:59 LYNG, Anne Athenry AC 1937

58 0:30:10 COOLEY, Noreen Athenry AC 1110

59 0:30:13 O'MEARA, Caitriona Galway City Harriers 1104

60 0:30:24 CONNOLLY, Bernie Galway City Harriers 1105

61 0:30:24 NILAND, Siobhan Craughwell AC 1121

62 0:30:39 RUANE, Anne Athenry AC 1957

63 0:30:44 SEERY, Eimear Athenry AC 1961

64 0:30:52 DE BRUN, Maria Galway City Harriers 1120

65 0:31:31 GLYNN, Michael Athenry AC 1925

66 0:31:32 REDINGTON, Lillian Craughwell AC 1956

67 0:31:35 PACER, A 999

68 0:32:07 HUGHES-LALLY, Aileen Craughwell AC 1932

69 0:33:14 GLEESON, James Craughwell AC 1924

70 0:33:46 TOOHER, Michelle Athenry AC 1964

71 0:33:47 FEENEY, Cathal Athenry AC 1919

72 0:33:49 PACER, A 999

73 0:34:16 MOLLOY, Collette Craughwell AC 1943

74 0:34:17 PACER, A 999

75 0:37:37 MURPHY, Tracey Athenry AC 1947

76 0:37:38 PACER, A 999

77 0:39:44 KENNY, Cliona Athenry AC 1114

78 0:39:45 CONLON, Joyce Athenry AC 1908