Record field at Kilmovee as Bidwell wins in course record

April 5, 2015

Moving to improve at the 3k mark

“One of the best organised races around” was the verdict of many who flocked to Kilmovee for the 6th Annual 10k. Fair play to John Roddy and the whole Kilmovee Community, Kilmovee Shamrocks GAA club and loads of volunteers. The plan is to improve year on year and the evidence is clear. Today a record 588 runners and walkers lined up at the start. It couldn’t have been a better launch race for Mayo AC’s 2015 Vodafone Move2Improve Series. Conditions were perfect with hardly enough breeze to flutter the roadside daffodils.It was a colourful spectacle – blue Mayo/Roscommon Hospice t-shirts, lots of Mayo AC’s red and green, and orange high vis at every turn and crossroads.

Downhill racer Matt Bidwell – new course record

The big field were well streamed out as they crossed over Aghadiffen Bridge into Co Roscommon after 3k. Last year’s winner Matt Bidwell was in full flow in the lead from John Byrne followed by a group of five. Seventeen year old Katherine Shiel-Rankin was the lead woman with Norah Newcombe tracking her, and Mary Gleeson in third. The field moved in waves along the fast flat course, with many looking for that early season pb or attacking their first 10k. The leading order was the same, though slightly more spread out as they approached the only hill at 9k. Mark Bidwell stormed to victory in a new course record by 3 seconds 32:17, despite as he said “fading a bit in the second half”! John Byrne stuck in doggedly and was rewarded with a great time in second 32:58. Westport tri-athlete Sean McLoughlin came through strongly for third 34:30 . Shiel-Rankin (Aldershot Farnham & District) maintained her lead in the women’s race and won in 37:43. She is a regular visitor to the Swinford area and this was her first 10k. Katherine finished 8th in a field of over 300 in the English Schools Cross Country Championships last month.

heading for the finish women’s race winner Katherine Shiel-Rankin, Brendan Hession in view

Norah Newcombe (currently unattached – watch this space) ran a comeback race following recent heel problems and was happy with her second place in 38:17. It was great to see Mary Gleeson back on the road and she ran a well paced race for third in 40:27. Lots of members had a final test before next week’s National 10k. Anne Heaney has run many races recently and despite finding it tough towards the end today she knocked a huge chunk off her 10k pb to win the o35 section in 43:02 with Chris Gallagher second, just behind in 43:07.

It was good to see Hugh Duffy running well and get a prize – 2nd o50 – and in his own backyard. Monica Joyce was another winner, 2nd o50 – one of many Mayo AC Rome marathon survivors taking part. Paula Prendergast was disappointed in her race and is hoping to turn things round next week. She ran an excellent 3:15 in the Tralee Marathon three weeks ago, and endured a nasty dog bite on her leg since. Mayo AC won seven of the fourteen senior/masters prizes. We’ll try and add in any news of other PBs during the week.

Hugh Duffy 2nd o50

There was the usual lively post race buzz in the Community centre, where everyone enjoyed meeting up for a chat, and wonderful refreshments as they waited for prizegiving.

Many sat outside in lovely warm Easter sunshine.The next race in Move2Improve series is ‘Run for Boylo’ 10k on Sunday 26th April in Foxford. Details on event calendar.

2015 6th Annual Kilmovee 10k Provisional Results Summary (588 runners/walkers) results here: Kilmovee10km_2015

Senior Men 1: Matt Bidwell (GCH) 32.17 – course record 2: John Byrne (Mayo AC) 32:58 3: Sean McLoughlin 34:30

Senior Women 1:Katherine Shiel-Rankin (Aldershot Farnham & District) 37:43 2: Norah Newcombe (unattached) 38:17, 3 Mary Gleeson (Mayo AC) 40.27

Men over 35 1: Gary Higgins 34.50 2: Brendan Gill (Mayo AC) 36:24

Women over 35 1: Anne Heaney (Mayo AC) 43:02; 2 Chris Gallagher (Mayo AC) 43:07

Women over 50 1: Maura Dervin (Mullingar Harriers) 43:42; 2: Monica Joyce (Mayo AC) 49:20

Men over 50 1 Dave Corcoran 38:18, 2 Hugh Duffy (Mayo AC) 40:36

U19 Junior Men 1 Tadgh McGinty (Swinford AC) ) 34:54; 2 Eoin Cashman 42:13

U19 Junior Women 1 Tara Higgins 43:04; 2 Lana Phillips 50:59

Teachers Competition – Michael McDonnell Memorial Shield Trophy was won by Ross Gannon of Scoil Mhuire, Newtownforbes, Co Longford. He finished 9th overall in 36:39