Killarney’s fourth 10mile race a success

Tessa Dennison

KILLARNEY Valley AC held their fourth annual Killarney10 mile road race last Saturday. Despite the forecast the weather held good for the 9am start and most of the 218 participants covered the course relatively dry.

The event, which supports the building of a community Microtrack in the grounds of St Brendan’s College in Killarney, attracted an international field with competitors coming from as far away as America, England and Spain. The group were honoured to have minister Brendan Griffin TD on hand to be the honorary starter and the Mayor of Killarney, councillor Niall Kelliher, was on hand to present the finishers medals.

The challenging race route which takes on Aghadoe and Knockreer before finishing back at St Brendan’s college was won by Rory O’Sullivan of St Finbarr’s AC in Cork in a time of 56.27 minutes. Rory was presented with the Richard Clifford perpetual cup by Geraldine Clifford. Richard, who enjoyed running as a pastime and was friends with some of the organisers of the event, is remembered every year with the cup dedicated in his memory.

An Riocht’s Sean O’Sullivan was second in 61.34 and there was a roar from the supporters when local Killarney Valley club man Martin Crowley crossed the finish line in third place in a time of 62.37. Former Killarney athlete Sinead Tagney of Sportsworld AC won the women’s race in 65.49 ahead of Sorcha Daly and Meahbh Daly from Killarney. Mr. Sean Coffey principal of St. Brendan’s college and one of the coordinators and drivers of the community Microtrack project, ran in the race himself, making light of the 10 miles.

The organising committee would like to thank the marshals and volunteers who turned out on the day and are very grateful for the support of Killarney Valley AC, Killarney Community Microtrack Group, Kerry Athletics, Alan Ryan Hardman Events, St Brendan’s College, Order of Malta, Gardai, Killarney National Park, OPW, Kerry County Council, Minister Brendan Griffin TD Minister for Sport, Mayor of Killarney Ciuncillor Niall Kelliher, Jules Hall Weakley PA Primo Events.