More than 1,000 brave cold to take part in annual fundraiser

WEXFORD was a sea of yellow on Thursday evening as more than 1,000 people shrugged off the cold and ran or walked the 5km course in aid of the Irish Kidney Association and Wexford Marinewatch.

Despite the cold weather, the Wexford Night Run was a huge success, with the serious runners achieving some seriously good times and those more sedate of pace soaking in the atmosphere and the ambience at this huge gathering.

First across the line was Niall Sheil, from St Killians in a time of 15.56, with Jackie Carthy coming in first amongst the women, in a repeat of last year’s top two.

A total of 783 people recorded times for the event, which began when the competitors were piped across the start line.

The route headed out towards Kerlogue with a turnaround point leading back in to town, down through the Faythe, onto South Main Street with a finishing line on Anne Street at the Wexford Credit Union.

Among the young people enjoying the event were children from St John of God School, and Ard Aoibhinn special school.

The first 10 men home were: 1. Niall Sheil, 15.56, ; 2. Paul Gibbons, Sliabh buidhe rovers a.c., 17.20.6; 3. Dermot Foley, Menapians, 19.26.6; 4. Tony Ryan, 19.31.9; 5. Kenny Cloney, 19.36.0; 6. Patrick Dobbs, 19.38.6; 7. Padraig Coone, 19.46; 8. David Leonard 19.50; 9. Niall Crosbie, 19.50.9 and

10. Will Doyle, Slaney Olympic AC. The first 10 women were: 15. Jackie Carthy, Kilmore ac, 16. 20.15.5; Guylain Grange, 20.16.8; 20, Helen Doyle, Kilmore AC; 47. Fidelma Rossiter, Kilmore AC, 22.00.8;

80. Eleanor Neville, 23.26.1; 84. Siobhan Cloake, 23.32.7; 85, Lorna Murphy, 23.35.7; 105, Miriam Sherlock, 24.07; 111, Brittany Spurell, 24.08.6; 112, Aisling Frayne, 24.08.9

The organisers said they wanted to thank all those who had helped to make the event such a success.

The previous two annual runs raised more than €30,000 for the two charities and the latest event looks like it will be the biggest fundraiser so far.