Racing through festive season

TWO of the county’s longest standing road races took place over the Christmas and New Year break.

First on the calendar was Farranfore Maine Valley’s 55th annual St Stephen’s Day 5km road run. Weather conditions were ideal and over 400 participants took to the start line to run off their turkey dinners.

James Ledingham of Kilkenny City Harriers was first across the line in 15.24 to take the Fr Dan Browne Perpetual Cup. Second and third placed men were Tim O’Connor and Sean O’Sullivan from An Riocht AC. Carol Finn from Leevale AC was the first women home in a time of 17.58, with Sinead Tangney (Sportsworld Running Club) and Maria McCarthy (Farranfore Maine Valley) in second and third places.

Farranfore Maine Valley would like to thank the race organisers and volunteers who worked tirelessly throughout the year to make this an event to be enjoyed by all, and their main sponsors:

Moriarty’s Centra Foodstore, Dunnes Store Killarney, Angasana Resort and Spa at the Brehon Hotel Killarney, AIB, Edward O’Mahony Electrical, Pat McDonnell Paints Tralee and Bridies Foodstore Firies.

There was also a great turn out of athletes for the annual Charles O’Shea road race which was held in Beaufort on New Years Day and hosted by Star of the Laune AC. Some 200 runners and 50 walkers completed the 10km and 5km routes. Michael Carmody (An Bru AC) was first to cross the finish line in the 10km event, covering the distance in 32.02.

Following on from their success of the previous week, An Riocht athletes Tim O’Connor and Sean O’Sullivan took second and third places. Men age category winners: O-40 Ger O’Sullivan (An Riocht); O-45 Roland Rogers (Tralee), O-50 John Barrett (Gneeveguilla); O-55 Tom Murphy (Fossa); O-60 Neilus Ahern (Midleton); O-65 Patrick O’Shea (Iveragh).

Local athlete Cian Clifford won the men’s 5km race ahead of Padraig O’Dubhgain from Leevale AC and another Killorglin runner Cathal Clifford.

Rosemary Ryan (Doneen) won the ladies 10km race in a time of 37.08. Second was Anna O’Neill (Donehy’s) and Murna O’Malley (Limerick Tri Club) was third. Winners of the women’s age categories were: O-40 Michelle Hoare (Farranfore Maine Valley); O-45 Catriona Barry (Farranfore Maine Valley); O-50 Maggie Carlin (St. Brendan’s); O-55 Annette Corboy (Star of the Laune); O-60 Joan O’Sullivan (Gneeveguilla); O-65 Aileen O’Brien.

The first three ladies home in the 5km race were Mary O’Connor and Catherine O’Sullivan from An Riocht and Marie McKenna from Farranfore Maine Valley.