The club held its third New Year 5k run on Sunday and despite the miserable conditions that prevailed over 100 people braved the elements to run, jog or walk the route. Following the early frantic start the pace settled and affairs at the head of the field were led by William Stephens, Coolquill, Shane Scully, Nenagh Olympic, Liam Shanahan, Thurles Crokes and James Maher, Templemore with Paddy Cummins, Moycarkey-Coolcroo and Liam Kelly of the host club also well in contention. With the rain not letting up all the athletes had to contend with the same conditions but it was William Stephens who got a march on the rest to draw clear and maintained his pace to the line to finish 1st in a time of 16.19. The minor placings were very much in doubt until the final couple of hundred metres when Shane Scully emerged from the group to take second place in a time of 16.45 with James Maher getting the better of Liam Shanahan for third in 16.52 to Liam’s 16.57. Paddy Cummins finished fifth in 17.05 with local athlete Liam Kelly finishing sixth in 17.19. Gary Scully, Nenagh Olympic came through for seventh in 17.30 followed by Keith Ryan, Holycross eight in 17.36 with another local athlete Stephen Flanagan finishing ninth in 17.43 and completing the top ten was John Fogarty, Thurles Crokes who crossed the line in 18.15.
The ladies race was equally as competitive with County Senior Road champion Aine Roche, Clonmel in attendance along with athletes from Thurles Crokes, Dundrum, Coolquill and ourselves. It was our own Lorraine Healy who set the early pace and enjoying the company of many of her male counterparts, particularly some of our own club athletes, along the route she continued to push along at the front. Aine Roche showed signs of getting back in touch closing the gap significantly over the closing km’s but credit to Lorraine she hung in to cross the line as the winner in 19.10. Aine finished second in 19.21 with another club athlete Louise Fogarty getting the better of Jacqueline Hughes, Thurles Crokes to place third in 20.24 with Jacqueline timed at 20.38. Claire Devitt, Dundrum finished fifth on 20.44 while Laura Carey, Coolquill finished sixth in 21.58. The next three places were filled by local athletes Brigid Gleeson, Sarah Healy and Caroline Dunne finishing on 22.09, 22.36 and 22.41 respectively. Making it into the top ten was Roisin Maher, Templemore in 23.24.
While the above showed the competitive nature of the ladies and men’s events there was plenty of more participants who showed their talent. Amongst them were Louis Everard, Templetuohy (18.54), Niall Doheny, Galmoy (20.45), Kevni Dunne, Moyne (21.00), Noel Maher, Piercetown (21.37), Edel Delaney, Bayswell, (23.40), Graham Cullen, Loughmore (24.42), Marie Burke, Errill (25.46) and Mairead Maher, Piercetown (26.54).
Well done to all the athletes who participated and our sincere thanks to you for your support. Our thanks also to all who helped out in any way with the running of the event.
