Race report by Karol Cronin
Photos by Anna Delaney and MyRunResults.
The second ever Clonee 10k race took place last Thursday evening with over 360 competitors. This Royal satellite town of Dublin will fast become a popular summer road race with it’s flat course and a less than 30 minutes drive to it.
The course itself starts 10 minutes from the village from where motorway ends and country road begins. Before the race got underway, the P.A. announced to be careful as a tractor had just pulled out of a field leaving behind a trail of muck on the road.
The winner of the race was pretty much decided upon when Kenyan born Peter Somba representing Dunboyne lined the field. People may have become familiar with Peter by now as he’s competing in every road race that Athletics Ireland can license and is winning them all. With him accompanying this race was his very own camera man recording his every move. He must be making a documentary about how he’s conquering all the road races throughout Ireland.
As always there was a small but strong Sportsworld crew present. Myself, Ruth, Ciara, Padraig, Mandeleine, Emma and Catherine all lined up as well as Anna who was out to give us support. With an 8pm start, the sun managed to break through making it a pleasant but slighty blustery race especially the second half.
I let the Kenyan fly off and compete for a second place finish. The course meandered alongside country fields and after about 1k, Somba had established a firm lead. At the same time I had managed to make a gap with third place and knew if I kept working hard I’d maintain second place. There was occasional local support along the quiet roads offering water and much needed cheers.
Because of the windy conditions, I knew a pb wasn’t for the taking. I came home in second place finish with a comfortable gap to third place to Shane O’Neill from Rathfarnham A.C. Ruth and Ciara both ran brilliant races coming in 5th and 6th followed by Catherine and were unlucky not to win a team prize as they finished in third position. Next up was Emma, Madeleine and Catherine all finishing together followed by Padraig who all ran great.
Each participant received a giant golden medal after the race and back in the village in the Grasshopper pub, we were all treated to free pizza from Domino’s which should attract more runners next year. Ruth also learned that she had placed first in her age category and won an extra large Ireland coloured short shorts which I think Ruth will have more benefit of bringing to Lansdowne Road and waving on the boys in green.
It was a really great race to do with a nice atmosphere and fun back in the Grasshopper pub. Thanks to Dunboyne A.C. for organzing it and for Ruth providing the lift out and to Anna for all encouragement and support. On a final note, I can say it took a Kenyan to beat me.
Sportsword results:
2nd Karol Cronin 32:35
5th Ruth Kelly 40:43
6th Ciara Foster 40:47
32nd Emma Barry 48:39
33rd Madeleine Byrne 48:54
37th Catherine Gilmore 49:28
228th Padraig Moorehouse 53:30
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