Sligo AC athletes at Great Ireland Run

ROUGHLY 10,000 elite athletes, runners and walkers of all ages and abilities came together in the Phoenix Park for the 15th Great Ireland Run. This race opens with the National 10k Race Championships. Conditions were calm but the high humidity made the athletes work for their times especially on the notoriously tough second half of the Phoenix Park 10K course.

In the Womens’ Race, Gemma Steel led home a one- two for Britain, recording a winning time of 34: 15, with compatriot Jenny Spink filling the runner- up berth. The first Irish woman home was Kerry O’Flaherty ( Newcastle). The Sligo ladies did themselves proud. Lucy Brennan’s 39: 59 earned her the National F55 title after a battle with Rose Lambe in which Lucy pipped the renowned Carrick Aces athlete by 6 seconds. Mari Johnston ( 41: 12), Carmel Fallon ( 46: 28) and Noirin Kelly ( 49: 36) all ran well.

In the Mens’ Race, Mark Christie ( Mullingar Harriers) provided the home cheer by winning the national 10K title in 29: 30. Richard Gorman ( 32.56) was 25th overall. Strong running by Seamus Somers ( 33.39) brought him home in 40th while Damien Kennedy ( 36.09 PB) completed a fine team performance as the 3rd scorer for Sligo AC Masters team. There were good runs also by Bill Carty ( 40.43) Andrew McNabb ( 45: 21), Enda Whelan ( 45: 23), Kieran Dowd ( 47: 22), Brendan McCarrick ( 47: 53), Enda Gilmartin ( 49.15) and Aidan Kelly ( 56.54)

Sligo AC athletes had some terrific performances in the Irish Universities Track Championships.

In the 200M, speedster Zak Irwin won his first heat in 21: 81 and was second in his semi final in 21: 89. Unfortunately Zak cramped during the final and did not finish.

Huge performance also by JP Carty who has made incredible progress over the last 2 years. JP was a silver medalist with a fabulous run of 32: 01 in the 10000M.