Almost 120 runners took to the road in the first ever Colemanstown 10k run. There was great representation from all local clubs, namely Athenry AC, Loughrea AC, Craughwell, GCH, Clare River Harriers & Tuam AC & Fit 4 Life Groups
Athenry’s Paul McNamara headed the field from early on and romped home in a fantastic time of 32.40 to set an excellent course record. Paul has not been racing much of late so hopefully we’ll be seeing a bit more of this former 10k champion in the weeks and months to come. Paul Keane from Craughwell AC came 2nd in a time of 35.47 while 3rd in the senior category was Niall Callanan also from Craughwell AC. In the senior ladies Aileen Lyons who is affiliated with Les Croupiers Cardiff came first closely followed by Athenry’s Jane Anne Healy & Deirdre Quinn. Male & Female O/40 category winners were John O’Brien, GCH & Bernie Mulryan from Athenry. O/50 category winners were Martin O’Donnell, Clare River Harriers & local lady Kathleen Reilly from Menlough. O/60 winners were TJ Beatty, Loughrea AC & Mary Doyle, GCH. Prizes were presented by one of Galway’s finest athletes, the legendary Willie Morris, originally from Newcastle, Athenry, who won 4 NACA cross country titles in the 1950’s and had a very distinctive running career.
The organising committee wish to congratulate kidney transplant patient Noel Finnerty who successfully completed the course with his friend & neighbour John Joe Ward. It was a great achievement for Noel who received his transplant only 3 years ago. There was also a hugely enjoyable 1k fun run with over 60 children taking part. It was a great novelty for them to receive their medals from County Hurling star Cyril Donnellan & County Camogie & All Star Award winner Niamh Kilkenny
The organisers wish to sincerely thank all who helped make the run such an outstanding success, the many people who helped out in every way on the day, marshalls & stewards, those who provided refreshments, those who manned the water stations, a big thanks to all our sponsors who gave so generously and to our main sponsor Frank & Bernie Burke who provided the overall cash prizes on the day. A big thanks to the local community who turned out in such large numbers to support the event. The committee also wish to acknowledge the invaluable assistance, advice & guidance offered by the highly proficient Mick Rice & James Lundon, Athenry AC. Thanks also to Brierfield Bouncing Castles for sponsoring the raffle prize, to Sharon Glynn for her commentary & to Kevin Rohan for the musical entertainment provided. It was a great community effort, a family day out which generated great positivity and already we are looking forward to 2012. The results of the Colemanstown 10k 2011 are attached hereunder.