Inaugural Streets of Killarney 5-Mile road race draws 500 runners to the town

THE inaugural ‘Streets of Killarney’ 5-Mile road race took place on Good Friday hosted superbly by Killarney Valley AC. It was great to see a return of road racing to the town with a great buzz generated as the 500 runners made their way around the five-mile route.

One of the Kerry’s top talents, Irish Under-23 International Oísin Spillane (Ennis Track AC), was on show, and he didn’t disappoint, leading from the start at Killarney House and then through the National Park, he had a clear lead by the time he hit the streets of Killarney. Spillane completed the 5 miles in a top class time of 24:45.

He was followed in by Cork runner Gavin Sweeney and Killarney Valley’s own Darragh O’Leary having a great run in his home turf and leading his club into first place. The team prize also stayed local with a strong run from Elisha Kehoe leading St Brendan’s College to take the win.

In the woman’s race, Leevale’s Carol Finn broke the 30 minute barrier to take a fine win in 29:15 ahead of the evergreen Niamh O’Sullivan (An Riocht AC) and Caoimhe Ní Shuibhne (Inishowen A.C.)

It was great to see fine junior athletes on show with Killarney Valley’s Grace O’Mara winning the Junior Women’s race and placing 5th women overall, and Kenmare’s Tommy Arthur, now running for Lagan Valley AC winning the Junior Boys in an impressive 27:04.

In the masters categories, husband and wife duo Doreen and Stephen Moore of An Riocht AC took the F40 and M50 wins, whilst Ray O’Connell (Tougher AC) rediscovered his form to win the M40 in an impressive time of 26:50. Caroline Murphy (Gneeveguilla AC) and Geraldine I’Sullivan (Bantry AC) clearly won the F50 and F60 categories, whilst Liam Lynch (Donoughmore) narrowly took the M60 category.

The race was fully inclusive of all abilities with the popular Ross Gallagher and Ger Daly taking the Visually Impaired and Wheelchair categories.

Men Top 3

1st Oisin Spillane – 24:45 (Ennis Track Club)

2nd Gavin Sweeney – 25:29 (Togher AC)

3rd Darragh O’Leary – 26:17 (Killarney Valley AC)

Women Top 3

1st Carol Finn – 29:15 (Leevale AC) 2nd Niamh O’Sullivan32:07 (An Ríocht)

3rd Caoimhe Ní Shuibhne32:19 (Inishowen AC)

Men F40 top 3

Ray O’Connell - 26:50 (Togher AC) Keith Kelly - 26:57 (Youghal AC) Brendan Caffrey - 27:41

Women F40 top 3

Doreen Moore - 35:54 (An Ríocht) Marie Murphy - 36:30 (Gneeveguilla AC)

Anila Mucaj - 37:29

Men 50 top 3

Stephen Moore 28:17 (An Ríocht) Florence O’Donoghue 28:55 (Muckross Milers)

Kieran Twomey 31:39

Women 50 top 3

Caroline Murphy 34:11 (Gneeveguilla AC)

Liz Heaslip 37:30

Mary O’Connell 37:26 (Gneeveguilla AC)

Men 60 top 3

Liam Lynch 34:43 (Donoughmore AC) Frank O’Connor 34:46 (An Riocht) Mar tin Gill 38:15 (Spa-Fenit-Barrow)

Women 60 top 3

Geraldine O’Sullivan 38:57 (Bantry AC)

Betty O’Riordan 45:50 Martina Slattery 50:10

Men 20 top 3

Tommy Ar thur 27:04 (Lagan Valley) Elisah Kehoe 28:23 (St Brendan’s College)

David Chute 30:42

Women 20 top 3

Grace O’Meara 33:20 (Killarney Valley)

Saoirse Twomey 34:45 (West Muskerry)

Rebecca O’Neill 35:26 (West Muskerry)

Wheelchair user category

Gerard Daly48:26 Visually impaired runner Ross Gallagher41:18

Club prize

Killarney Valley AC: Darragh O’Leary: Naoise Daly: Fergal Murphy

Team prize

St Brendan’s College: Elisah Kehoe, Matthew Hegar ty, Harry Bolger