The 5th successive Colemanstown 10k run took place last Saturday in wonderful weather conditions which made it very enjoyable for all who participated – especially for those who came for the fast course, the food, the fun, the chat and the sun! The serious athletes might have preferred cooler temperatures but they too enjoyed the effort. This race has continued to grow and the perfect Holy Saturday morning also saw numerous personal bests achieved and none more than Kieran Guiry from Gurteen who had been trying for a while to crack 40’ for a 10K and finally broke the deadlock in a fine time of 39.53. His elation at the finish line told his story! Well done also to local natives Gearoid Rohan & Mary Rohan who both made new PB’s; Gearoid completed the run in 36:50 coming 5th overall (some man!) while Mary knocked over a minute off her PB to finish in a splendid time of 45:54. We wish them both well in their marathon exploits in Manchester in 2 weeks time. Postman Pat McDonagh also romped home with a new PB of 39:38. But there was a lot more to the story than just the locals……
Pre-race favourite and last year’s winner Owen Byrne, GCH quickly stamped his authority on the race and moved away from the field within the first kilometre and pretty much had the race wrapped up early on as he finished in a fine time of 34:29 faster than his finish time one year previous. Oliver Mullins, Craughwell AC came second in 35:41 closely followed by Ray Somers, Athenry AC 3rd in 35:44. The top two ladies in the county battled it out for top honours and also created new PB’s in the process as Jane Anne Meehan, Athenry AC claimed top prize in an impressive 37:12 and was 6th overall, quickly chased by Regina Casey, GCH in 37:33. Clare Rowe, Tuam AC claimed 3rd prize in 42:10. Male category winners were: O/40: Liam McGuane, Ennis Track Club, 35:48; O/50: Paul McDonagh, Maree AC 39:13; O/60: Philip Cribbin, Clare River Harriers 53:58 & O/70: Martin Keane, Athenry AC, 58:50. (a truly spectacular man) Female category winners: O/40: Roseann Trehy, Athenry AC; who ran a brilliant PB of 42:16 to finish 4th female overall. Following really strong runs in the Kinvara half marathon and the Craughwell 10mile Roseann’s Manchester marathon training is well on track. O/50: Mary Kealy, Athenry AC, 43:49 – she is in super form in the run up to the London marathon. Well done also to the many runners from the Skehana Fit for Life group who less than 3 months after lacing up their first pair of trainers, these novices of Couch to 5k only completed their first ever 5k in Renville the previous weekend and quickly and successfully took on this 10k challenge. Well done also the 78 children who took part in the kids run and added to the occasion; there was some wonderfully determined faces and smiles at the finish line.
Special thanks to Athenry AC for sponsoring our permit application and for their trojan efforts in advertising the run. The start line was awash in maroon singlets such was their support. Sincere thanks are due to all who gave their time freely to help out in the organisation and successful running of this event; to all the stewards and water personnel who did such important work; to the ladies who yet again prepared such a fine spread of food; to Martin Anderson for his expert IT; to Frank & Bernie Burke who sponsored the prize money; to Kevin Rohan for his usual super performance as M.C., to Kathleen Cannon and the Tus participants who did great work in having the clubhouse and our grounds in tip-top condition and to everyone who helped in any way – sincerest thanks to all.
The race is continuing to grow and 5 years on the 10k course attracts runners from all over the region, and many outside the county and all manner of competitors – from serious athletes looking to improve their personal bests, to ordinary citizens looking for fun and the chance to say that they actually ran and accomplished a 10k. It is a weekend that many in the locality look forward to but there’s no doubt that it would not be the success it is without the sincere good will of the many people who help out in every way. Apologies to those querying their run time later in the evening; unfortunately this was outside our control as the timing company were engaged to provide this service. Photos compliments of Roisin Burke, John Harte & Caroline Saunders will be uploaded in the next few days.
Full result of Colemanstown 10K attached: Colemanstown10km_2015
Also some interesting statistics attached thanks to Martin Anderson’s IT expertise: Colemanstown 10k Statistics