National Juvenile Uneven Ages, and Novice Country Championships
The National Juvenile Uneven Ages, and Novice Cross Country Championships, were held in Waterford Institute of Technology last Sunday, on a demanding hilly, and muddy course.
Caron Ryan of Craughwell AC took pride of place among the Galway athletes, winning national bronze in the U19 girls with a strong run over the testing 4km circuit. Ryan has trained and raced very well all season and this result was a well-earned breakthrough at national level for her.
Tuam AC had a number of squads competing, with the under 11 boys' team placing fourth team home, just off a team medal, with great runs from the entire squad. Individually, Sean Cotter of Craughwell AC ran superbly to place fifth at U15 level, as did his clubmate Ben Ryan, placing eighth overall in the U17 event with a well-paced race.
Isabella Burke of GCH put in a tremendous performance in the U13 girls with a 10th place finish, with the GCH U13 girls' team, the current county and Connacht champions, just outside the medals in fourth place.
At senior level, GCH fielded a men’s team in the hugely competitive national novice, with mountain runner Andrew O Donnghaile in his element, running a storming race to place ninth overall, less than 40 seconds off the winner. GCH placed 16th team with Talon Thompson, Neill Keane, Michael Kerrin, Brian Bruton, and Niall Murphy all competing for the city team. In the ladies' race Galway native Caoimhe Daniels, formerly with GCH, won the novice ladies' team title with Sportsworld AC of Dublin, while Catherine Thornton of Spiddal, running with Crusaders, won a bronze team medal.
AIT baseline meet
Several of Galway’s top sprinters and middle-distance runners opened their indoor season with good performances at the baseline meet in Athlone IT last Wednesday. Jack Dempsey of GCH won his heat in the 150m in 16.88 and was third in the 60m in 7.02, while clubmate Diego Brule also impressed, winning a 150m heat. Nicole King also GCH ran a fast 150m to take second and a PB over 300m of 40.75 to place third, while Aisling Joyce of NUI Galway won the ladies' 1,000m race in a fast 3.04.
Road races
The following upcoming road race fixtures will take place in Galway over the festive period
The famous Athenry 10km takes place on St Stephen's Day at 11am, with race entry still available online on athenryac.com
The annual Resolution Run 5km takes place New Year’s Day at 11.30am, routing through Galway city and along Grattan Road, with Race HQ at the Claddagh Hall. Entries are open on Active.com
