Kerry athletes bound for Duhallow AC 5k Road Race

REIGNING holder Laura Crowe (Riocht AC) is expected to head a strong Kerry entry over the county bounds on Sunday for the popular Duhallow Athletic Club 5km Classic in Newmarket at 1pm.

Traditionally one of the top races in the end of year calendar, organisers are hopeful of the staging retaining its popular attraction for participants from across North Cork and beyond.

Duhallow AC Chairman Donie Shine spoke of the popular event and a festive atmosphere is sure to generate over the North Cork course with the Jer Murphy Perpetual Cup up for grabs for the first time.

“In recent years, we have based the classic in Newmarket and its met with an overwhelming response. Indeed a strong and representative field have added an international dimension to the hosting”, he said.

From the 2015 staging, a quality line up and hot competition to a strong 235 entry saw Mark Hanrahan from Leevale hold off some of the best athletes from the South West Region.

Olympian Michelle Finn from Kanturk took a decisive victory in the senior ladies in 2014 but reigning ladies champion Crowe demonstrated her talents to land the spoils last December.

Race headquarters is at the Hourigans, a short distance from the race start on the Kanturk road that takes the field through the town centre, out the Rockchapel road and a return to finish at the Sarah Curran Memorial Statue close to the town centre.

Included on the programme are category prizes in senior, vets, junior and U16 age categories in addition to an array of team prizes.