The fifth race in the Slaney Olympic AC Summer handicap league took place last Friday in The Ballagh.
Race director, Ger Dempsey planned a great 4 mile course. The start was fast downhill but after going through the village the second mile was a steady uphill catching some of the fast starters by surprise.
The Gibbons brothers, Paul and Myles of SBR took the early lead running shoulder to shoulder at the bottom of the first hill turning left onto the main road. Martin Monaghan(SO) was in third position and behind him came the trio of Jason O’Connor(SO), Kevin Murphy(My Sport) and Sean Murphy(US).
These six filled the first six positions with Kevin splitting the SBR brothers. Paul finished first in 21.55, 9 seconds ahead of Kevin (22.04) with Myles 3rd in 22.09. Jason was first Slaney Olympian home in 4th position followed by Martin in 5th and Sean in 6th place.
First lady home was Mary Doolen of St Josephs in 28.10 followed by promising junior, Lauren Kinsella of Enniscorthy AC in 29.35 with Ann Bolger third in 30.27. Full results are available on www.slaneyolympic.com.
In all there were 44 runners in the race. Afterwards runners, helpers and supporters retired to the Sawdust pub for refreshments, prize giving, a birthday celebration (Lar Doyle) and a 15th wedding anniversary (Maurice and Alice Whitty).
Results
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