Team medals for D&D stars in Dunboyne

AFTER a week of dodging showers, wrestling with strong winds and braving dropping temperatures, Sunday morning finally brought a welcome change for the athletes of Drogheda & District AC.

As if on cue, the winds subsided, the rain held off and the sun burst through the clouds, setting the stage for an exhilarating day of road running, as a whopping 41 athletes from the club made their way to Dunboyne for the iconic 53rd Road Race 10K.

The Dunboyne event is a perennial favourite among runners and it promised to deliver yet another thrilling event this year.

Celebrating more than 50 years of tradition, this race carried the added allure of hosting the Athletics Ireland national championships, and with more than 1,260 athletes toeing the line (and 900plus vying for national titles) the competition was fierce and the excitement palpable.

The start line was a bustling scene, packed with elite runners eager to showcase their speed and determination in what felt like a true championship race atmosphere.

The course itself offered a blend of urban and rural scenery, starting north outside Dunboyne village before winding through the town’s lively streets, where enthusiastic supporters lined the route.

Heading south into the countryside, the runners navigated picturesque country roads before culminating with a triumphant finish on the Dunboyne AC track.

Despite the formidable competition, Drogheda & District athletes distinguished themselves among the nation’s best.

Clonmel AC’s Seán Tobin set a blistering pace, claiming victory in a remarkable 29:17, but among the Drogheda & District contingent Aaron Hanlon led the charge, crossing the line in an impressive 30:36, securing ninth place overall and fourth in the senior category.

Colin Leonard, Brian Martin and Paul Smith also delivered stellar performances, clocking times of 32:42, 32:51 and 33:18 respectively, and clinching fourth place in the senior team and third in the M35 category.

In the women’s category, Fiona Kenna, Yasmin Canning and Eimear Knowles led the charge, with Kenna finishing in 41:15, followed closely by Canning in 41:35 and Knowles in 42:55.

Canning, along with Carmel Keenan and Barbara Lowth Byrne, also secured third place in the team F50 category with impressive performances.

Amidst the sea of remarkable results, standout performances came from Rodney Thornton (33:38), Ruaidhrí Nolan (34:31) and John Reilly (36:54).

Karen O’Connell and Rachel McCormack displayed their prowess with times of 49:03 and 49:08 respectively, while Conor Cooney’s impressive finish in 56:12 earned him third place in his category.

Not to be outdone, Hugh McDonnell finished in 57:04, Linda Bowe in 57:37 and Claire Corcoran in 1:11:20, also putting in strong performances and further highlighting the depth of talent within Drogheda & District AC.

The club would like to give special commendation to Dunboyne AC for their superb organisation of the event, ensuring a seamless and memorable experience for all participants and spectators alike.

More detailed results from the Dunboyne event can be found on the Drogheda & District AC Facebook page.