Local athlete Keith Fallon was the winner of the annual Resolution Run on New Year’s Day.
Almost 400 runners braved stormy conditions to compete in this traditional opening event of the year, which finishes under the historic Spanish Arch.
Four runners broke early on in the race, including Fallon, Jamie Fallon, Matt Bidwell and Damien Landers of St John’s, but it was Fallon who took the honours in a time of 15.45 with Jamie Fallon of Craughwell in second in 15.49, followed by Bidwell, also of GCH, in third.
The first woman home was Jane Ann Meehan of Athenry who clocked 18.19, with Sinead Brody of GCH second in 19.57, and Esther O’ Flaherty GCH third in 20.09
Fields of Athenry 10km
The 13th Fields of Athenry 10km took place on St Stephen’s Day hosted by local club Athenry AC, and despite the poor weather, a record field of almost 1,150 completed the course around Athenry.
Reigning champion Mick Clohisey of Raheny Shamrock AC was back for a tilt at a third straight title but had to contend with closest rival, former Dublin City Marathon champion Sean Hehir. However Clohisey took the race on early and retained his title with a superb winning time of 30.18, with a 41 second gap to Hehir behind in second. This was an improvement of 30 seconds over last year for Clohisey and was the third fastest time ever in the event. Matt Bidwell of GCH completed another successful year for him by finishing third in 32.46.
In the women's event last year’s runner up, Norah Pieterse (Newcombe ) of Ballina AC took the honours, clocking 37.02. Jane Ann Healy of Athenry ran 37.47 to claim second spot, while Cushla Hehir of Ennis Track AC completed the podium. Catherine Thornton (Crusaders AC ) and Grainne Ni Uallachain (GCH ) also finished sub 40min.
Raheny Shamrock AC took the men’s team prize, while GCH ladies won the women’s section prize, while among the category prizewinners were GCH's Gerry Carty at Over 40, who is in the form of his life placing 10th overall, Eddie Newman (O50 ), Martin Kearney (O60 ) and Tom O Connor (O70 ) and in the Womens, Maggie Vahey was first O40, while Mary Kealy won O50, while Judith Roche won O60 and Mags Glavey took O65 prize with a fine time of 45.34.
Fixtures
The Galway Indoor Track and Field Championships for 2015 will be held on Sunday January 18 in the Athlone IT arena with a full schedule of juvenile and adult events.
Tuam Athletic Club will host its annual 8km also on the same day, Sunday January 18, at 2.30pm. Entry is open on active.com for this renowned race, won last year by Paddy Hamilton of North Belfast.
