The race report below comes from Gavin Finlay who placed 2nd in the Emyvale 10K on January 1st.

No better way to expunge that New Year’s Day hangover than a fresh 10k race through the undulating botharĂ­ns of Co. Monaghan. The spontaneous and last minute races are often the best. And so it was on the forst day of 2013. Owing to a bet (or experiment) that a decent time could be achieved after an Irish wedding and 3 hours sleep, a lone Sportsworld member took to the starting line alongside a few hundred Ulster folk for the annual Emyvale 10k. Organised by the Jolly Joggers to raise funds for the Monaghan Cancer Treatment Support Group, it was in the best tradition of rural fun runs – friendly, laid-back banter and the ubiquitous post-race tea and cake spread.

Some walked, some jogged, some ran but all had a great sense of achievement when they crossed the finishing line. For some to finish the course was special to them as it was a great personal achievement. There was also a terrific atmosphere in the village and in the Community Centre afterwards.

In the men’s 10k the prolific Gary O’Hanlon (Clonliffe Harriers) destroyed the field in an impressive 31:20. Sportsworld’s Gavin Finlay lead the chasing peloton, finishing in 2nd place, a fair distance behind in 34:30. Not too far behind was local juvenile hotshot Patrick Murphy (Glaslough Harriers). In the Ladies 10k Donna Evans won in 37.56, followed by Barbara Murray and Nuala Reilly.