The 2007 FUTURE Streets of Galway 8k Road Race took place on Saturday evening last from Southpark in the Claddagh. This was the 22nd running of the race which is now one of the most popular road races in the country, ranking alongside such events as the Ballycotton 10 and the Adidas Irish Runner Race Series in the Phoenix Park. This year, the organisers Galway City Harriers had received over 2000 entries before the closing date. After heavy rain all day, the skies cleared just ten minutes before the off, to a collective sigh of relief from the participants and organisers alike.

A fascinating race was anticipated at the elite end of the field between the road race supremo Gerry Ryan and the track champion Gary Thornton. Both athletes are from the host club Galway City Harriers and both have had a very successful year. Ryan recently won the Adidas 5 miler, while Thornton followed a number of excellent races in the UK with winning the National Track & Field 10000m Championship in July. Ryan has won the Streets once before in 1999, while Thornton showed his early talent with his debut in the Streets as a Junior in 1995 when he finished in a time of 26:49. Brian Maher, Kilkenny City Harriers, who is a sub-4 minute miler and Richie Yeates, Raheny Shamrocks, also lined up in what was a top class senior men’s field.

Men's Race

From the start, Thornton set a fast pace, and the following pack worked hard to track him. Ryan always looked comfortable however and once he took to the front he continued to push the pace and never relinquished his lead. He won in a time of 23:59 and he showed his delight as he sprinted down the finishing straight and celebrated to the cheers of the home crowd. Maher finished 2nd, 8 seconds adrift, followed by Thornton in 3rd, 7 seconds behind that. Richie Yeates was 4th and Sergiu Turea, Clonliffe, was 5th. Another G.C.H. athlete Mike O’Connor was 6th. O’Connor is currently in hard training for the Berlin marathon in September. The crowd of supporters that gathered and everyone involved appreciated seeing these top class Galway athletes compete at home.

Women's Race

In the women’s race Rosemary Ryan, Bilboa AC, was within sight of her own course record of 26:01 which she set in 2001, when she won in a time of 26:34. Sponsor’s FUTURE were offering a bonus for a new course record, but the conditions made this more difficult on the night. Pauline Curley, Tullamore was 2nd in 28:03. Curley has won this event on no less than four previous occasions. She had also competed for her club earlier the same day at the National Track & Field League final held in Tullamore, where she won the 800m and was 2nd in the 3000m, before heading for Galway to make the start line. Lucy Brennan, Sligo AC, was 3rd in 29:16, followed closely by Arlene Smith, Innyvale AC, and Veronica Colleran, Ennis Track. Ann Lennon, Mayo AC, and Galway women Deirdre Brophy and Tara Whyte were all in the top dozen women home.

There were many more prizes presented by the Race Director Pat O’Dwyer and FUTURE Managing Director Michael McLaughlin in the Galway Rovers Clubhouse after the race.

Teams and Juniors

The men’s team event was won by G.C.H. with Sportsworld in 2nd. Ennis Track won the women’s team with Sligo AC in 2nd. David Quinn, Ennis Track, and Anna Shelton, G.C.H., won the junior categories in times of 26:57 and 35:59 respectively.

Veterans

James Sullivan, Waterford AC won the M40 category in 26:11. Tommy Joe Whyte, Tuam AC, just held off Hugh Duffy, Mayo AC, for honours in the M45 category with a time of 28:33. Eugene Moynihan, Marian AC, won M50 in 27:05. Former world Vets 3000 Steeplechase Champion Martin McEvilly, GCH, won M55 in 29:13. Tom Cullen won M60 in 33:47, while the President of GCH Brian Geraghty won M65 in 33:21. Experienced runner Mickie Kelly, from Tuam AC, won the V70 category in a time of 44:19.

Marion Burke, St. Mary’s AC won F35 in 32:05 while Ann Carter won F40 in 31:34. Joan Hough, Middleton AC, won F45 in 32:44 and Nuala Reilly, Drogheda won the F50 category. Hillary Collins, Coolquill AC won F55 and The Meet & Train category was won by Eileen Reeves from Limerick.

Our participants

Men just slightly outnumbered the women as 59% of finishers were male and 41% female. Almost 80% of finishers were unaffiliated to any club, showing the appeal of the event to the wider general population outside of club running. Of the teams, the largest representations came from Athenry AC who had 28 finishers and Hewlett Packard who had 22. Galway Triathlon club, Loughrea AC and Clare River Harriers all had over a dozen runners finish. A group of 10 represented the Dub Runners of Belfast AC team. There were competitors from all over as the U.K., the U.S., Italy, Germany and Australia were all represented.

Thank You

The organisers, G.C.H. would like to thank the sponsors as well as the many volunteers and organisations who gave their time and services free of charge to help stage this event in the city. FUTURE Wealth and Protection have also committed to sponsor the event in 2008. Park Jewellers sponsored the race timing system and Gleesons sponsored the many water bottles required.

Thanks to the Gardai who guaranteed the smooth running of the event through the city’s streets and the Civil Defence who helped marshal the course. Fr. Griffin’s GAA and Galway City Council provided access to the changing facilities while Jimmy Curran and all at Galway Rovers kindly offered their clubhouse for the post race presentations and refreshments. Ralph O’Gorman was once again the MC on the night and all the local media supported the event including the Galway Advertiser, Connaught Tribune, Galway Independent and Galway Bay FM. Tom McGuire provided the PA, Trevor Price the barriers, and Tadgh Keady the video back up. John O’Connor of Craughwell kindly offered his services as the event photographer. Dr. Fionnuala Geraghty provided the medical back-up while the Chartered Physiotherapists Western Branch were on hand to organise the warm-up and Brian Johnson provided a rub-down service for many tired legs.

Many GCH members, past members and family members were drafted in on the night as well as many colleagues from other clubs in the county. Finally thanks to all the participants who make this event great each year by competing and taking part. Well done to all!