A total of 2032 runners crossed the finishing tape in this year’s Streets of Galway 8k road race held on Saturday.
On a bright and blustery evening, the popular annual event was won by Irish Olympian Mark Kenneally, with Siobhan O'Doherty (Borrisokane AC ) the clear winner of the ladies' race.
A top-class field entered this year's event, which was sponsored by local company Kearney Cycles and hosted by local club Galway City Harriers.
Alongside Kenneally, Kenyan Freddy Kearon, Neil Burton from Tipton Harriers , and last year’s runner up Paddy Hamilton (Annadale AC ) were expected to fight for this year's honours. Kenneally and the visiting Kenyan took to the front from the off, but after the halfway mark the Clonliffe man broke away, powering home to his second win in the race in 23.47.
Kearon hung on to second place in a time of 24.07 from fast-finishing Neil Burton, who was third in 24.13. Hamilton and Sligo AC man Emmett Dunleavy followed, while the first Galway man home was GCH's John Greaney in 26.22 in eighth place overall, closely followed by Craughwell's Jason Broderick.
Siobhan O'Doherty (Borrisokane AC ) was a popular winner of the ladies' event, having at last secured victory after numerous podium finishes. She finished in a great time of 26.49 and was folllowed by Irish steeplechase champion Michelle Finn of Leevale in 27.21. Cousins Breege Connolly and Teresa McGloin came in third and fourth respectively in 28.26 and 28.32, while the first local woman home was Regina Casey of GCH in 30.09.
Host club Galway City Harriers won the ladies' team prize, while Crusaders AC took the men’s title.
