Fields of Athenry 10km Race Launched

aburke

Athenry Athletics Club launched their annual 10k Road Race at a function in The Raheen Woods Hotel in the town this week. The race will take place on the 26th of December next. The 'Fields of Athenry 10k Road Race' has grown into an important fixture on the road racing scene in the West of Ireland over the last five years since it's inception in 2002. Last year almost four hundred runners and walkers completed the course around Athenry town on St.Stephen's day in bright winter sunshine.


Fields of Athenry 10km Race Start 2005

There are some small changes planned for this year's event which should greatly improve the event for all involved. The race will this year start and finish in the heart of Athenry town instead of passing through it as in previous times. This change will allow organisers to provide improved car-parking and other facilities for those taking part.

Entry forms for the race are available on the club's web site at www.athenryac.com. Although a small number of race entries will be available on the day, the club are asking as many people as possible to pre-register for the event as this is a great aid to race organisation.

Enquiries about the race can be made to Mick Rice at (087) 2896989
or email entries@athenryac.com

http://www.athenryac.com/press_release_fields_of_athenry_10km_race_launched

harrier

The fields is a great race. I was lucky enough to get a top30 T-shirt a few years back when it was just getting a foothold on the scene. I see they're giving out Top50 shirts this year - I'll be hard pushed to make that.

Are there many boards.ie folk planning to go?

ABurke - I read there are some changes. Will showers be available this year too?

aburke

Hi Harrier,

Yes, there should be plenty of showers available this year.
We have a new venue, the Presentation College Sports Centre, to handle registration and changing facilities.

The course is the same, but we will start and finish in the centre of the town, and the finish line will be under the famous Arch.

We also have secured Keanes Bar and Restaurant for the prizegiving ceremony afterwards.

Hope to see you there, numbers of pre-entires are already well ahead of where we were last year.

Alan

harrier

Alan,
Thanks for the info on showers.
Can I drop an entry form in with cash anywhere? It's easier than me trying to get a cheque.

aburke

Hi Harrier,

Athenry AC meet at 9am every Saturday morning at the Church Car Park.
That would be your best bet for cash entries.

Alternatively, PM me and I can arrange to meet somewhere, to collect entry.

Entries are rolling in, we are way ahead of last years pre-entries.

It looks like word of the race has spread!

Looking forward to a good day!

Alan

aburke

The Fields of Athenry 10k Road Race drew record numbers on St.Stephen’s day. Just under five-hundred runners and walkers completed the course which departed the East Galway town and then returned through picturesque countryside. Athletes completed their run beneath the town medieval archway at the top of North Gate Street. For once the weather co-operated and conditions were perfect both for runners and walkers alike. Organisers were hopeful of a fast race at the front of the field given the benign conditions and the high calibre of athletes who had entered.



Both the defending male and female champions from 2005 lined up to defend their titles won last year in less favourable conditions. Gary Thornton in the colours of Galway City Harriers scorched around the course in 30:12 and was never seriously threatened in his defence of this race title. Local runner Paul McNamara of Athenry AC, who currently holds the national championship over 10k, was next past the post (31:25) and GCH’s Michael O’Connor placed third (31:50).

In the women’s race Lucy Brennan was first past the post for the third consecutive time in this event in a time of 37:03. Regina Casey and Michelle Lynch, both running in GCH colours filled the second and third places in the women’s race in times of 38:52 and 42:37 respectively.

Galway City Harriers took both the men’s and women’s team titles.

Full Result as Follows

Category Position Race No. Name Club Time
Senior Men 1st 2 Gary Thornton GCH 30:12
Senior Men 2nd 3 Paul McNamara Athenry AC 31:25
Senior Men 3rd 370 Michael O'Connor GCH 31:50
Senior Men 4th 348 Dermot Galvin St. John's 33:07
Senior Men 5th 307 Erno Kis-Kirhly Loughrea AC 33:57

Men's Junior 1st 230 Seamus Gilhooley Athenry AC 38:19
2nd 200 Diarmuid Moloney Tuam AC 42:24

Men's V40 1st 306 Martin Corcoran Loughrea AC 34:10
2nd 89 Larry Kelly 0 38:27

Men's V45 1st 406 Tommy Joe Whyte Tuam AC 36:58

Men's V50 1st 153 Brian Murphy Craughwell AC 40:04

Men's V55 1st 315 Martin McEvilly GCH 36:49

Men's V60 1st 346 Martin Hynes Tuam AC 46:07

Men's V65 1st 8 Roger Rushe Tuam AC 45:24

Men's V70 1st 97 Mickie Kelly Tuam AC 51:27

Men's Team 1st GCH Gary Thornton 1st
Michael O'Connor 3rd
Ian Egan 13th
Joe O'Donnell 14th

Senior Women 1st 1 Lucy Brennan Sligo AC 37:03
Senior Women 2nd 116 Regina Casey GCH 38:52
Senior Women 3rd 135 Michelle Lynch GCH 42:37
Senior Women 4th 416 Tara Whyte 0 42:45
Senior Women 5th 100 Deirdre O'Mahony 0 42:46

Women's Junior 1st 22 Eimear Fitzmaurice Roscommon AC 58:47

Women's V35 1st 29 Helen Lavin 0 43:29

Women's V40 1st 137 Jospehine Gardiner Mayo AC 43:13

Women's V45 1st 220 Mary McHugh GCH 45:20

Women's V50 1st 345 Adrienne Walsh GCH 50:42

Women's Team 1st GCH Regina Casey 30th
Michelle Lynch 76th
Aideen de Paor 80th
Jane Campbell 116th