TraleeToday.ie’s coverage of the Rose of Tralee 10k Race is brought to you by AIB Tralee…
THE Tralee Harriers Rose of Tralee 10km took place on Sunday with 514 runners taking to the road.
This festival favourite was hosted by the club as a fundraiser for the development of their training grounds. The race started at The Tralee Bay Wetlands Centre where Chris Shortt provided music and Mc-ing for the start of this festival inspired run.
The sun came out and shone on the runners and the hundreds of spectators cheering on their family and friends.
As the buzz and anticipation grew, all were called to the start line and at 11am Kirsten Mate Maher, last year’s Rose of Tralee, pulled the trigger of the gun and off they went.
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The route brought them through the streets and roads around town they were met with enthusiasm of cheers and encouragement from spectators and the stewards, along with a few surprises along the way.
Kingdom Party Pals were on hand to run with the participants and playing music at various spots, Festival Drummers were playing on the Aquadome Roundabout and Denny Street and Boombastic brought them home with live performance on the festival stage at the end of Denny Street.
The runners were handed out medals, water and refreshments by the young athletes of Tralee Harriers AC Club at the finish line, while Chris Shortt perched himself at the gantry and MC’d as the athletes came through the line.
Martin Fitzgerald the Club chair and Race Director was extremely happy with the event. “We strive to show Tralee at its best and bring a fun element to our 10k. We were blessed with the weather and crowds and it was great for the young kids in the club seeing all these amazing athletes running fantastic times. I want to thank all of the volunteers who came out to help, and again this year they have gone beyond what is expected of them. Above all I thank the Committee in the club who put this event together, Months of planning and organising and they have done the Club and Tralee proud with their efforts”.
It was a thrilling finish down Denny St. First home in a time of 32.41 was last year’s winner and Tralee native Conor O’Mahony, a whole minute and ten seconds faster than last year.
Conor was followed by John Heaphy and Brian Murphy fighting for second and third. Battling one another the whole length of Denny Street, with John taking it on the line in 34.51 and Brian settling for Third in 34.57.
First lady home was Deirdre Nagle of Farranfore Maine Valley in a time of 39.43, a minute ahead of Elaine O’Callaghan in 40.45 and 23 seconds later Edel Monaghan came home in third.
First returning Rose home was Rosemarie Lawlor, Gearoid Peirce was the first returning Escort. This is his second time winning the award. The First Family Member of a competing 2018 Rose was Frank Reape .
For more information of results visit the Tralee International Marathon Facebook page where a link to results is only a click away.
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This has been the most successful event for the Club, & Tralee Harriers would like to thank Oliver, Brid & Tadhg of The Tralee International Festival and his team for their help with the event and marshalling and stewarding of the event.
The club also thanked long-time sponsor Louis & Colette Byrne of Byrne’s Spar and Donagh and Una O’Mahoney & Brendan Kennelly of the Kerry’s Eye, Ruth O’Sullivan and her team at the Ashe Hotel who allowed the club to take over the hotel for several days.
They also thanked Bernard and his team in Trophy World for the medals and trophies as well as Dunnes and Garveys Supervalu, The Ashe & Grand Hotel, and Lee Strand who helped with some of the refreshments. Scroll down for photos…
