Some 250 runners shook off any festive excess when they crossed the finish line in the Resolution Run 5K road race on New Year’s Day.
Organised by GCH and Galway Athletics, the race at the front was an exciting affair, with five athletes breaking away early - David Carter of GCH, Abbas Edris of Castlegar, and the Craughwell trio of Sean Cotter, Oisin Davis and Ross McGuinness.
Carter pushed on after the one kilometre mark, and had established a 20-metre gap by half way. But the second half was a different race. The wall of wind along Grattan Road saw the lead change hands, and it was the tactical running of Sean Cotter that paid dividends.
Cotter took the lead at just past three kilometres with a big move, and when he stormed past GCH’s Carter, he drove onwards to claim victory in 15.45.
Carter held on gamely for second in 15.47, with the consistent Edris of Castlegar third home in 15.49, ahead of the young duo of Davis and McGuinness.
The women's section saw Kathryn Casserly of GCH take a really impressive victory, clocking 17.44, as she overhauled Catherine Thornton of Crusaders AC in the final kilometre.
Thornton ran a great time of 17.51 for second, with the returning Regina Casey third home in 18.41.
National Indoor League: Round one of the National Indoor Track and Field League takes place Sunday in the National Indoor Arena in Abbottstown in Dublin.
The programme features 10 events, seven on the track and three field events, with Galway clubs Craughwell and GCH expecting to field teams.
Galway Indoors: The Galway Indoor Championships take place over two days this weekend in the Athlone IT Indoor Arena. The U9 to U12 competition will be held on Saturday, with an adult competition Saturday evening, while the U13 to U19 events will be held on Sunday.
