Galway City Harriers’ top road runner Matt Bidwell took second place in the 26th annual Clare River Harriers 10k road race on Saturday.
Held in Claregalway over a fast one-lap course, Bidwell, Craughwell’s Jason Broderick, and St John’s AC man Mike Shannon took the early lead, staying together until 4km into the race. Bidwell and Shannon pulled away, but in the last kilometre Shannon managed to kick away for a clear win in a time of 33.07, with Bidwell second in 33.16 and Broderick third in 34.04.
In the ladies’ event, Jane Ann Healy of Athenry AC came through with a late surge to pip Regina Casey of GCH in the finishing straight, winning in a personal best time of 38.51, from Casey in 38.55 . Loughrea AC athlete Caroline Whiriskey took third in 42.47
Galway City Harriers won the Brendan Gavin Memorial Trophy for the top team on the day.
Oranmore 5km
Michael Shannon of St John’s AC in Clare took yet another victory in this Club Vitae-sponsored race in Oranmore. Shannon won comfortably in 15.54, with Matt Bidwell of GCH second in 16.27 and Colm Daly of Ennis Track AC third in 17.41
Galway City Harrier Niamh Hennelly won the ladies’ section in an excellent time of 19.43. Hennelly has progressed rapidly this season under GCH coach Matt Lockett and is one to watch for the cross country season. Second home was Fionnuala Keane of Loughrea AC and third Jacqui O Donnell.
Community Games
There were some great performances in the Community Games in Tullamore recently with Craughwell’s Aidan Conneely winning silver in the u-16 boys’ 100m, and the mixed u-15 relay squad securing fourth place.
Laura Ann Costello of GCH won gold for Galway in u-16 girls’ 100m, Sean Kilmartin won silver in the u-14 80m hurdles, Jack Dempsey won bronze in the u-14 100m, and E Quirke silver in triple jump u-16 boys.
