Willie Neenan memorial run
EXCITEMENT is building ahead of Millstreeet Athletic Club’s fifth staging of the Millstreet AC promoted Willie Neenan Memorial 5-mile Road Race on Friday that’s sure to attract large numbers.
Those wishing to engage in a less arduous walk can do at 7.30pm with the big race up and away at 8.15pm.
Again, the race promises to be a fitting tribute to Willie’s memory and his contribution to athletics over a lifetime. A great friend, former US coach Fr Paddy Byrne, has donated a magnificent perpetual Cup in memory of Willie.
For more than 60 years, Willie engaged in competitive athletics, his power-packed and consistent efforts impeccably displayed and distinct trails of a man known far and wide.
Willie became the first winner in an Irish singlet of the over-65 British and Irish International Cross Country Championship and some weeks earlier he broke the Irish record over the 800 metres middle distance in the European Championships in Cesnatinico, Italy.
Synonymous with athletics in North Cork, Willie compared the successes of 1998 to 1983 when he collected a silver medal and just a half-a-second from outright gold in the over-50 1500 metres at the Puerto Rico hosted World Championships.
A large entry is expected for the road race on Friday evening, entries online cost €10 @eventmaster and €15 on the day at the Millstreet GAA Hall.
The 5-mile circuit entails the Glebe route, the race starts at Clara Road onto West End, turning left for Station Road, past Millstreet Railway Station and right for the Glebe before taking a right onto the main Mallow road and returning to Millstreet town for a finish at the bridge near Noel C Duggan’s Hardware Shop.
Prize giving and refreshments follow in Millstreet GAA Community Hall.
Well done to Caoimhe O’Leary who continues her excellent form in the Millstreet green and gold, winning silver at the Munster U17 3000m at the CIT race track.