The second staging of the annual Cloonacool 5km race and walk took place last Sunday, February 13th, organised by our very own GCH member and Cloonacool local, Gerry Carty. The weather held up for the 150 people who turned out to run and walk the out and back course.
The 5km race was won by John Byrne, Mayo AC, in a new course record of 15:57. John took some time out from his training schedule for the Anglo Celtic Plate 'Home Nations' 100km in Perth, Scotland in March. John had completed a 26 mile training run the previous day so his time is even more impressive. His Mayo AC teammate Anto Devaney was 2nd home in 17:28 for the second year running. Kevin McGlone of Sligo AC finished strongly to take 3rd place in 18:52.
In the women's race local woman Mari Johnston retained her title with a strong run from the front in a time of 19:55. Sarah Syron of Mayo AC put in a great performance to finish second in a PB of 20:42. Mayo AC's Ann Murray, fresh from a team bronze for Mayo in the national master's cross country, came home in third in a time of 18:52.
Most participants retired to the clubhouse for refreshments afterwards to round off a good day in Cloonacool.
Provisional results can be found below.