A new winner entered 2017 Galway 5km Series when Kevin Bartholomew of Craughwell AC took victory in the penultimate leg in Claregalway on Tuesday last.
Bartholomew ran 17 minutes flat for the win, ahead of Neil O'Leary of GCH and Kevin Moore in second and third respectively. The first woman home was Barbara Dunne of GCH in 18.27, followed by Grainne Ni Uallachain of GCH in second, and Deirdre Brophy of Athenry AC in third. Shauna Bocquet of Craughwell AC again took the wheelchair race honours. The six-race series concludes in Athenry this week.
AAI Games
At the AAI Games held on Sunday, GCH athlete Sean Breathnach threw a massive 18.20 metres for victory in the shot putt on his return to competitive action following an injury layoff. Cliona Horan of GCH took third place in the women's shot.
And in other action, young GCH stars Eoghan and Darragh Jennings both secured medals at the national combined event championship in Dublin. Eoghan took home bronze in the U16 competition and Darragh took silver in the U14, both after a four event competition.
In international action there were many top Irish athletes taking part in an international meet in Oordegem, Belgium, at the weekend, and the event saw Cillin Greene of GCH run a European Junior B qualification standard in the 200m, clocking 21.54.
At the NCAA college championships in the USA, Emma O’Hara of GCH competed in the division one regionals for Maryland in the hammer and threw 53 metres.
Irish Milers club
The second of the summer Irish Milers club events was held in wet conditions in Tullamore on Saturday with Nicole King of GCH winning the 400m in 57.22 secs. There were strong runs also from Laura Nally and Maebh Brannigan of GCH in the same race. There were personal best times set over 800m for GCH middle distance runners, with Eanna Folan clocking 2.02, Aaron Brennan, 2.03, and Thomas Mcstay, 2.04. Shauna Bocquet took second in the 100m and 400m wheelchair races.
Fixtures
The Irish Schools finals take place Saturday next in Tullamore, and many of Galway’s up-and-coming young athletes will be competing, including Eanna Folan, James Frizzell and Aaron Brennan of GCH in middle distance events, Aoife Sheehy over hurdles, and sprinters Jack Dempsey and Cillin Greene.
Tomorrow (June 2 ) sees a series of paced miles and children's sprints, organised by Castlegar AC in Merlin Woods Community Park, Doughiska, with the event starting at 7pm.
The annual Maree 8km takes place on Bank Holiday Monday, June 5, at 1pm.The scenic circuit has been measured to AI standards, will be chip timed, and has been approved by the Galway County Board. The run takes participants from the Maree Community Centre out onto Galway Bay, down the Tawin peninsula, and back to Maree Community Centre. This event will raise funds to develop local sporting facilities in Maree, and is organised by Maree Athletics Club in conjunction with the Maree Development Organisation. Entry is €15.
ATHENRY AC HALF MARATHON
The Athenry AC Half Marathon & 5k takes place on Saturday June 24, and is suitable for runners, joggers and walkers of all levels.
The race, sponsored by Hygeia Garden Care, starts in the village of Monivea, takes in quiet country roads before finishing in Monivea.
This event also incorporates the 2017 Galway AAI Half Marathon Road Race Championships and is an AAI measured and permitted race. The entry fee for the half marathon is €25 and the 5K is €15 and includes a race souvenir for all participants.
Race number collection and late registration is from 9am to 10.30am in Ffrench’s night club behind McGann’s bar opposite the Community Centre in Monivea, with the half marathon starting at 11am and the 5k at 11:15am.
Registration is open now via the event website www.athenryachalfmarathon.ie
