Road runners out in force in Rathdrum

THE annual road race championships run by Co. Wicklow BLE were held in Rathdrum on a beautiful sunny evening this week 26 years ago.

For the first time in the history of Co. Wicklow athletics these championships were open to the public as part of the ‘Be Active, Be Alive’ campaign, which ran through the month of May.

Unfortunately, not as many outsiders as expected competed. But the event was supported by many familiar road runners from a number of the county’s athletic clubs who were out to try and earn themselves a title.

The races were contested over a tough course set out by Parnell AC and the sunshine made it that little bit tougher on the participants.

In the senior ladies’ event Veronica Colleran from the home club, Avondale AC, took the honours in a time of 19.37 mins followed by Claire Dowling from St. Benedicts AC in a time of 20.59 mins.

Tara McDonagh finished in third place in 23.48 mins. First veteran across the line was Claire Hickey from Roundwood AC in 22.45.

Peter Kavanagh from St. Benedict’s led the Junior men home in a time of 18.16 mins followed by club mate Raymond Dowling in a time of 19.16. Ian O’Reilly, running as an individual, finished third in 22.39.

The Senior men’s race had the biggest field and some of the top names from various clubs were included.

Bray Runners athlete Bobby Mitchell took the honours in a time of 26.14 mins followed closely by local man Bill Porter from Parnell AC in a time of 26.27. Graham Patten, also from Parnell, finished a close third at 27.06.

Bobby O’Keefe from Bray Runners was the first veteran home in a time of 28.01 mins. Dermot Brennan and John Keane, again from Bray Runners, finished in second and third places respectively with times of 29.23 and 30mins.

In the over-45 category Gerry Wallace from Bray Runners took the title in a time of 31.43 followed by clubmate Michael Brunton in 32.11.

In the over-60 category well known runner Sean Swords took the honours with a time of 44.33 mins.

In the team competition, Bray Runners managed to steal the title from the home team, Parnell AC.