The 28th running of the famous Kearney Cyles sponsored Streets of Galway 8k road race takes place this Saturday ( August 10 ) at 7pm.
The race this year is a complete sell out, with nearly 2,500 entered. As a result no entries are available on the day, and runners are asked to arrive well in advance of the start time.
While the Streets of Galway boasts a real community feel with a huge number of local athletes and fun runners taking part, the event has also established itself as one of the top road races in the country, attracting a highly competitive elite field.
This year’s men’s race is expected to be hotly contested with Olympian Mark Kenneally of Clonliffe Harriers making a return to the race he won in 2005. Last year’s runner up Paddy Hamilton of Annadale AC is also a stand-out name, along with Neil Burton of Tipton Harriers who ran sub 30 mins in the British 10,000 metres recently. Both are expected to challenge all the way for top honours.
A number of top Dublin athletes from Crusaders AC and Raheny Shamrocks are expected to make the trip, including Rob Cross and Ray Hynes.
Locally, multiple race winner Gerry Ryan of Craughwell AC may yet make an appearance in an attempt at a fourth title, and local athletes to the fore should be Jason Broderick, Owen Byrne and John Greaney, both of whom are targeting top 10 finishes.
The women’s race will be extremely competitive. Maria McCambridge will be missing this year due to her participation in the World Championships Marathon, but last year’s second and third placers Siobhan O’Doherty (Borrisokane AC ) and Breege Connolly ( North Belfast ) will challenge for honours, along with former winner Teresa Mcgloin of Finn Valley. O’Doherty is in top form at present having recently won the Flora Women’s Mini Marathon over 10km, in 34.20.
However there are also some new challengers - Leevale’s Michelle Finn, who ran 9.54 for 3k steeplechase earlier this year, and is National champion at that event, as well as Crusaders’ Caroline Crowley. Local women to the fore should include Regina Casey and Maebh Brannigan of GCH.
The race base is at the Claddagh Hall from where runners will be routed to the start.
National Half Marathon
Galway City Harriers athletes performed well at the National Half Marathon held on Monday in Dublin in conjunction with the Rock and Roll Half marathon series.
First home for the Harriers was Gerry Carty in 78 mins 23, followed by Dermot Lowe in 79.44. Ivor Geoghegan ran 1 hour 25 mins, while Martin Kearney was well up in his category running 1.26.
In the ladies’ event, first home for GCH was Sinead Brody running 1.28, while the veteran’s team stole the show with an excellent 1.37 from Carmel Brannigan, 1.44 from Mary McHugh, while Majella Nil Chriocain came home in 1.50, leaving the combined women’s masters team in with a medal chance, once results are collated.
