Brendan wins Claremorris 5

Race winners: Brendan Hession and Norah Newcombe

The 14th Annual De Care Dental 5 mile road race took place on Saturday evening in Claremorris. Conditions were good if a little humid on the out and back Old Knock road loop course. It’s not easy with a testing hill start and five more along the way. At the front end David Tiernan and Brendan Hession matched strides as they led out to the N17 hard shoulder, David was returning to racing after missing out on the National Half, while Brendan has been in brilliant form with an excellent 4th place finish and 35:47 pb over 10k the previous weekend at Claregalway.

At the 3 mile mark Tiernan moved a few seconds ahead. However, Brendan Hession showed strength and tenacity at the final hill and came home eleven seconds ahead – a deserving winner in 28:35. Derek Naughton (Tuam AC) ran strongly for third in 30:48. The women’s race proved to be  an interesting battle. Norah Newcombe was never seriously challenged for first place. Behind her Colette Tuohy, Mary Gleeson and Cathy Gleeson were all in contention for the places. Mary has held off Cathy’s challenge in recent races but Cathy caught up in the final mile to claim third place 17 seconds ahead in 31:16, and ten seconds behind Colette Tuohy in second place. The over 50s prizes were well contested with Pat Sherry (GCH) back in fine form to win the men’s ahead of Hugh Duffy, and Angela O’Connor newly into the category winning the women’s with Ann Murray second. There  was one dampener on the evening when water left out on a table at the 3 mile mark at Eskerlevally was stolen during the hour before race start, making it a difficult final couple of miles for many.

Una McGrath and Liam Newman turn off the N17

Maureen Walsh, CEO De Care Dental presented the prizes and thanked all participants. She also thanked those who contributed to the event’s charity Cancer Care West, and all who assisted with the race organisation, Order of Malta, Gardai, race marshals. The event was held in association with Claremorris Chamber of Commerce and Mayo AC.

It was the fifth race in Mayo AC 2015 Vodafone Move 2Improve series and points tables will be updated shortly ahead of race 6 the Ballyhaunis 8k on September 27.

Results: De Care Claremorris 5 Mile

Derek Naughton (Tuam AC) on his way to third place

Prizewinners: Men 1  Brendan Hession (Mayo AC) 28:35; 2 David Tiernan (Mayo AC) 28:46 3, Derek Naughton (Tuam AC) 30:48
Women 1, Norah Newcombe (Mayo AC) 30:56  2 Colette Tuohy (Mayo AC) 31:05 3 Cathy Gleeson (Claremorris) 31:16
Men o35 1 Aidan Clynch 33:30,  2 Keith Holland 33:34
Men o50 1  Pat Sherry (GCH) 31:03 2 Hugh Duffy  (Mayo AC) 31:43
Women o35:  1 Mary Gleeson (Mayo AC) 31:33, 2 Karen Higgins 41:40
Women o50: 1 Angela O’Connor (Mayo AC) 34:12, 2 Ann Murray (Mayo AC) 35:45

First De Care Dental employee Mary Gleeson