New Year ….Resolution 5k
Submitted by Tom Hunt
On New Year’s morning there were some wicked hailstone showers and a biting breeze to greet anyone out for the first run of 2012.
Even so, it is always good to get a few early miles on the calendar. A few members took the opportunity to open their race accounts at the Resolution 5k, run over two laps around Renmore. Over 200 runners took to the line for the 1:12 start time. Matt Bidwell (GCH) was first home in 16.34. Matt took up the running from the start, but was soon joined by Edwin Koenck (Sligo Ac) and Gary Scully (Nenagh Ac). Storm like conditions greated the 3 leaders as they began the second lap. Matt eventually pulled away in the last Kilometer to win this event for the second year, with Edwin second and Gary third. TJ McHugh finished 9th 17.31, followed by Anto Devanney 10th in 17.44. Good to see TJ back in his first race since the National Half in Waterford.
Catherine Conway was also returning to racing and she finished a very good 2nd 18.44 behind women’s race winner Laura Shaughnessy (Loughrea AC) 18.27. Anne Lennon was 4th and first F40 in 20.07. Claremorris Fit4Lifer Colm Cleary is now a regular at the races and he did well again with a 21.52 finish. Jim Donnelly also had a good new years day run out.