TRAVERS WINS STREETS OF SLIGO
JOHN Travers (Donore Harriers) claimed victory in the very successful Streets of Sligo 5K. It was an exciting race over the flat fast two lap course with large pockets of supporters cheering on the field of almost 400 to the finish.
There was a fascinating battle at the front between John Travers, the National outdoor 1500m champion and Damien Launders, the 2016 1500m National Indoor champion.
Just past the 3K mark, a John Travers surge opened up a small lead but this proved to be unassailable and the popular Sligo based Dubliner crossed the packed and very vocal finish line at Kennedy Parade in 14:08 with Ennis Track AC athlete Landers following closely in 14:24.
A delighted John Travers commented “Delighted with the win. The atmosphere was class, the closed streets really brought the race to the public. It’s a very fast course , no hard parts. Great event. Well done all.”
There was also a great battle for the spectators to watch behind the duelling front two. Sligo AC star J.P.Carty clinched 3rd in 14:50, just ahead of Clare men Jake O Regan 14:55 and Kenneth Rodgers 15:08, both St. John’s AC. Sligo man Brian Kinsella (Willowfield Harriers) was next in 16:00 with Christopher McGuirk (Glaslough Harriers) 7th in 16:17. Sligo AC’s Matthew McMeekin had a superb race and he finished in 16:26, just ahead of clubmate Jason Mulrooney 16:30.
Alan Kearins made up the Top 10 and claimed the M40 prize with an excellent 16:36 proving he is right back on form.
The Ladies race was equally exciting. Sligo’s Anna Reddin (Crusaders AC) was the winner in 17:19 but she was pressed all the way by the National Masters Cross Country champion Sara Doohan (Corran AC) with just six seconds separating the pair. Heather Foley (North Sligo AC) was third in 17:45 with Sligo AC’s Audrey Colreavy 4th in 18:25.
Junior runner Niamh Carolan (North Leitrim AC) ran well in 18:26 with Eimear O Connor next in 18:39. Sligo Running Club’s Eavan Mcloughlin was 7th in 18:43, just ahead of Sligo AC’s Mari Johnston 18:49. North Sligo AC’s Ashling Van Rensburg was 9th in 19:09 with Sligo AC’s Karen Mulrooney completing the Ladies Top 10 in 19:26.