Tralee basks in the glow of a great solstice run

THE ingredients for a great race are good weather, a nice course, running companions and, of course, plenty of post race-refreshments. All of these came together for this year’s Tralee Summer Solstice Run.

Making a welcome return to the running circuit after a twoyear break, the Tralee Summer Solstice, one of Tralee oldest racing events, attracted close to 150 entries from across Kerry and Cork last Thursday evening, in what could only be described as perfect running conditions.

The sun shone down, but with a slight breeze to ease the temperatures, it made for a perfect evening run, especially for Tralee’s own Derek Griffin, who was the first to cross the finish line in the superb time of 33.52. Donal White from Kerry Crusaders was next to cross the line in 34.07, and in third place was David Kennedy in 38.38

The first female home was Siobhan Daly from Gneeveguilla Athletics Club in a similarly impressive time of 41.06. She was followed by Marie McKenna from Tralee Triathlon Club and Esther Murphy from Midelton AC.

The Tralee Summer Solstice race was in aid of the Irish Heart Foundation, and though final funds have yet to be counted, the success of the race will undoubtedly be of a huge benefit to the national organisation.

The race started in Tralee Town Park, the perfect setting for any event, and raced through the park to the River Walk and onto Lidl, up Caherwiseen towards the short mountain, to the back road to Blennerville, and on to the canal to the finish line on the Neil Armstrong Way in the Town Park.

Following the race a free barbecue in the Abbey Inn went down a treat with competitors.

Organiser Jim McNeice thanked everyone who helped bring the race to fruition again, especially the sponsors and the competitors. Next on the agenda for Jim and his team is the Kerry Ultra Marathon on August 25, which will see competitors take on much longer races – 50k and 100k runs around north Kerry.

Details of this running event are at www.njuko.net/kerryultra2018.

All photos by Fergus Dennehy. Niamh Abeyta, Pauline Walker, Sorcha Uí Shúilleabháin and Loretta O’Sullivan enjoying themselves on Thursday evening ahead of the Tralee Summer Solstice 10k run.

Members of the Mt Hillary Athletic Club set to start the Tralee Summer Solstice 10k on Thursday were Noelle Foley, Caroline O’Sullivan, Lisa Quirke, Donna Lyons and Yvonne Murphy.

Denise O’Connor, Teresa O’Donovan and Helen Mehigan pictured before setting off on the Tralee Summer Solstice 10k on Thursday.

Louise Porter, Noreen Quirke, Simon Hallisey, Richard McBride, Mike Brosnan, Rose Brosnan and Joan O’Keeffe at the Tralee Summer Solstice 10k on Thursday afternoon.

Helen O’Neill McAuliffe and Helen Healy enjoying the sunshine before the start of the Tralee Summer Solstice 10k.

Mother and daughter pairing of Sinead and Nóra Kelliher pictured at the Tralee Summer Solstice 10k on Thursday.

Martina Coffey, Marilyn O’Shea and Niamh Abeyta at the Summer Solstice 10k on Thursday.