Both men’s and women’s course records were broken last Saturday in The Ballycarney 10K.

The Ballycarney Charity road race in aid of Oxfam Ireland took place last Saturday. Over a hundred runners and a number of walkers took part in the 10K which was run mainly on the quiet country road along the banks of the Slaney between Ballycarney village and Scarawalsh.

Some of the top runners in the County took their places at the startline at 3pm. James Cloney of St Killians took the lead from the off with the trio of Tommy McElwaine and Paul Gibbons, both of Sliabh Bhui Rovers and Martin Monaghan of Slaney Olympic hot on his heels. By 2K James had opened up a gap of some twenty to thirty metres on the chasing group who were battling it out for the minor placings. By 4K, with James well in the lead, it was Tommy who was on his own in second position.

James won the race in 34.08 and took the course record shaving just one second off Tom Hogan’s time last year. Tommy was second in 34.52 with Martin in third position in 35.42. Annaleigh Hore of Kilmore AC won the women’s race and also laid claim to the course record finishing in a time of 42.05. Tracy Flanagan of United Striders was second in 44.04 and Linda Murphy of Tinahely Tri Club was third in 44.52.

With a moderate north westerly wind at their backs most runners were pleased with their times at the 5K mark at Scarawalsh roundabout. The headwind on the way back meant a slightly slower second half in many cases but despite that a lot of runners who had done the race in January of last year improved on their times. Full results are below.

After the race it was back to the Ballycarney Inn for prize giving and tea and sandwiches for all participants. As well as prizes for 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd male and female there were plenty of spot prizes throughout the field. Race organisers, Jane and Graham Porter of Slaney Olympic AC would like to thank all their club mates who helped out on the day, especially Ger Dempsey who acted as chief marshal and safety officer.  Thanks also to the Gardai for their assistance, to the race sponsor, My Sport, and to the staff in the Ballycarney Inn for looking after us so well.

Results

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