N.E.R. crew take Dunleer race by storm

NER athletes made the short trip to Dunleer on Sunday last for the annual 4-mile road race in wet and windy conditions.

The Dundalk club was well represented among the 332 finishers with Simon Allen leading the crew home to win the over 40 section and finish seventh overall in 22.50.

Brian Lynch won the over 60 section in 24.04 with Jim Gonnelly also winning his over 50 section in 24.45.

The ladies also saw wins for Laura Duffy in the over 45 with Anita Bolton continuing her local domination in the over 50 section in a time of 29.27.

The junior men also saw a win for Luke Finley in 26.03, while Karen Caldwell was second in the over 40.

Karen McCrystal made a welcome return in third in a time of 28.43.

Joey Cooney was one of a handful of athletes who managed to record a personal best, breaking the 25-minute mark for the first time to finish third in the over 45 section, and making the club senior team for the first time in the process.

John McCooey was having his first run in his new over 55 category to also take third place with Paul Quigley just pipping Andy Califf for third in the over 50 section.

Meanwhile, in Duleek there was a finish line party for Colette O’Hagan as she completed her 400th marathon. Of course after the party, Colette started to plan her next marathon!

The club will host the popular, no frills Alec Fennell 5km on 19th July to remember one of the founding members of NER.

Start time is 7.00 with children’s fun runs, followed by the main event starting at 7.30.

Staged in the grounds of DKIT the race is held over two laps of a combination of trail and cross country. Registration is on the night from 6.00 with entry fee donated to the Maria Goretti Foundation in Lordship.

The club will be well represented at the Louth Track & Field Championships this Thursday, 14th July. Full details on club Facebook page.

Thursday night training resumes in DKIT from 21st July.

Tuesdays sessions continue from Saint Helena’s Park bandstand at 6.15, followed by sub 21-minute 5km runners at 7.00.