THEY’RE a hardy lot that running crowd.
It was a case of driving rain and wind on Saturday morning as hundred of people set off on the Tralee Half Marathon, 10k and 5k races from Tralee Bay Wetlands.
There was no let up all morning but they ploughed on and it must have felt all the more rewarding when they crossed the finish line.
Though there was in excess of 560 signed up for the event a very brave 455 competed across all the events. Times across all three races were very competitive and far exceeded what would be expected with the weather that was upon these athletes.
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Martin Fitzgerald, the Race Director, said he was very pleased to see such a great turn out and commended all who took part on the day braving the elements. “We were in ice, snow and freezing temps last year, heavy rain and high winds this year, and still getting good numbers, we are surely due a fine day and even bigger numbers. I am delighted to see so many from the local area taking part but more impressed that almost 50% of our participants are from outside Kerry, coming for Dublin, Donegal and some from the UK.”
Tralee Harriers thanked its main sponsors; Colette and Louis of Byrne’s Spar Oakpark and Caherslee and Brendan Kennelly and his team in the Kerry’sEye. Local suppliers Bernard Reidy of Trophy World for Medals and Trophies, and Una and Donagh O’Mahony in Radar Retail for T- Shirts; Mary O’Connor and her team in Tralee Bay Wetlands Centre and Nathan McDonnell of The Ballyseedy Cafe at the Wetlands; the team at the Rose Hotel, Dennison Design, Ballygarry Hotel, McElligotts, Tralee Advertiser, Aspen Grove, Dillions Waste and Cara Credit Union who helped to make the event a success.
Paul Griffin the event organiser and Tralee Harriers PRO, thanked Caroline O’Carroll and her committee for all their hard work in getting this event together and thanked the various sponsors.
But more importantly he wanted to make sure the true heroes of the day were acknowledged
“We are very fortunate to have so many good people in the club, Parents and athletes from 8 to 18 and their friends that are willing to come out and help with the running of the event. It takes roughly 80 volunteers to make this event a success and without them we would not be able to put on this calibre of event. Standing out in the pouring rain and cheering and encouraging strangers running around Tralee takes a special type of person and we are delighted to have so many will to do it” .
The top three finishers in each of the races are;
5k Ladies
1st Niamh O’MAHONY 00:19:31 An Riocht AC
2nd Niamh DE HORA 00:21:02 Farranfore Maine Valley
3rd Mairead MOORE 00:28:21
5k Mens
1st Luke O’CALLAGHAN 00:20:32 An Riocht AC
2nd Tommy HORAN 00:23:30
3rd Barry FLEMING 00:24:51
10k Ladies
1st Catherine HENLEY 00:43:41
2nd Gabriela FLORES 00:46:32
3rd Deirdre CURTIN 00:47:19
10k Mens
1st Conor O’MAHONY 00:34:25 An Riocht AC
2nd Donal O’CALLAGHAN 00:36:11 An Riocht AC
3rd Danny MURPHY 00:39:48 An Riocht AC
Half Marathon Ladies
1st Sorcha LOUGHNANE 01:28:22
2nd Murna GRIFFIN O’MALLEY 01:28:51 Limerick Triathlon Club
3rd Deirdre ANSBRO 01:32:03 Youghal AC
Half Marathon Mens
1st Derek GRIFFIN 01:15:29 Bons Secures Hospital Tralee
2nd Sean O’SULLIVAN 01:16:47 An Riocht A.C.
3rd Cathal O’REILLY 01:17:14 Loughrea AC
For the full list of results, check out the link here. Scroll down for photos…
