Hopes of home win dashed by speedy Sittuk

AFTER what seemed like months of planning, the day finally arrived on Friday for local club Boyne AC to host their inaugural Harry Mallon Memorial 4-Mile Road Race.

Held in honour of the late Harry Mallon, who served as honorary president and was an integral member of the club, the race was certainly something he would have been very proud of.

There was also a suspicion that Harry may have put in a good word above, as the sun shone down on a fabulous evening for running. His grandson, Donnachda Mallon, proudly signalled the start of the race and more than 200 athletes took to the roads to challenge themselves over the tough fourmile distance. Athletics clubs from far and wide were represented on the night, as too were members of the local community and friends and family of Harry who also competed in this special event.

There were no prizes for guessing who the overall winner of the race would be, as after the first of this two-loop course Raheny Shamrocks athlete Freddie Keron Sittuk held a commanding lead over clubmate and former Boyne AC member Simon Ryan, with Brian McCluskey from North East Runners also in contention.

The layout of the route provided a great opportunity for the large group of spectators to see some very talented athletes in action, and they certainly didn’t disappoint as Situk stormed to victory in 20:15, McCluskey took second in 20:23 and Ryan was third in 20:29.

However, the largest cheer seemed to be for the fourth and fifth-placed runners as a split second separated two of the host club’s O’Gibhne brothers, with Oisin (first Junior) just pipping Ruarcan with a time of 21:40.

The Boyne AC boys also took home the bronze team medal, with the help of clubmates Paddy Coyle (24:53) and Joe Carroll (26:14).

Also running well in the Men’s category were Edward Kennedy (26:15), Cathal O’Donnell (26:43), Cormac O’Gibhne (26:48), Anthony Tiernan (27:02), Jamie Bull (27:10), Justin Murtagh (28:21), Ryan Holcroft (29.:5) and Jack O’Donoghue (32:28).

Not to be outdone by the men, the ladies were also in flying form as they went one better and secured the second team spot, with Sally Clarke, Catherine Tiernan Bell and Annemarie Garcia taking to the podium to receive their prize.

Clarke also finished second lady in a super time of 26:24, while Tiernan Bell finished sixth lady in a time of 28:59 and Garcia clocked 34:43.

Also running well among the ladies were Denise Howard (37:37) and Ciara Kinsella (37:43), together with Olivia Reilly, Cornelia McHugh, Edel Gartland and Judith McGuinness Faulkner who crossed the line with arms aloft in 39:32. Other Boyne finishers were Shona McManus (39:51), Christine Kennedy (40:43), Yvonne Carolan, Julie O’Shea (41:41), Emma Boylan (41:59), Sandra Kirwan (42:59) and Margaret Durnin (43:51).

The overall winner in the Ladies race was Drogheda & District’s Ciara O’Reilly in a time of 26:01, with Michelle Hughes in third place with 26:59.

The race could not have happened without the help of so many people, too many to name. The sponsors of the race were invaluable to its success and the sea of sandwiches and buns were a testament to the fine culinary skills possessed by, it seems, half of the town!