Antrim International, MSB 5K and Weekend Round-Up

Mark Dooley performed with distinction when he made his international debut for Ireland at the Antrim International Cross Country race at Greenmount on Saturday With a number of high quality African runners on the start line and a very strong English team in tow the task for Mark was to race to his full potential.

The 10km race over a testing hilly course was won by Thomas Ayeko from Uganda in a time of 31. 27. Ayeko won the same race in 2013. Edwin Soi (31.40) of Kenya came 2nd with another Kenyan Jonathan Ndiku 3rd. Soi was the bronze medallist in the 2008 Olympic Games over 5000m.

Mark Dooley (35.29) can be proud of his effort. He finished in 29thposition and was Ireland’s final scorer as the team placed 4th behind winners Kenya and 2nd placed England.

In the St. Patrick’s Festival 5km race in the St. Stephen’s Green area on Sunday the Donore Harriers contingent was led home by Eoin Durkan (15.45) who placed 11th.  However, the star performances came from Barry Potts in the M65 class and Fathi Aden in the junior category. Potts (20.05), who is mentor to the Fit 4 Life squad, had a very fine race to win his age group. On the other end of the age spectrum 14 years old Fathi Aden (17.00) finished 47th overall and placed 3rd in the junior category behind two older and more experienced athletes. This was Fathi’s first time to race over 5 kilometres and he continues to prove his potential as a future star in the sport. Not far behind was 15 years-old Sekeriye Ahmed (17.40) who placed 73rd overall and was the 4th junior. The other notable performance came from Jennifer O’Keeffe (24.20) who recorded a new personal best when placing 12th in the F45 category.

In the National Masters Indoor Track Field championships at Athlone Arena both Anne Gormley and Terry Mee came away with a gold and silver medal. Anne won the 3km Walk in the F50 age class in a time of 20.37.10 and threw a distance of 6.09 metres to take silver in the Shot Pull. Terry was first in the M70 800m and 2nd in the 3000m recording times of 2.52.25 and 12.43.22

Gavin Byrne (17.59), a regular competitor in the event, won the Waterstown 5km Parkrun on Saturday  with a new personal best time. Meanwhile in the Barcelona Marathon masters athlete Alan Farrell had a good run to record 3.09.52 and in the Bundoran 10K, Rhona Duane ran strong to record 44:42

Results in brief:

IAAF Permit Antrim International Cross Country race at Greenmount: 29th Mark Dooley (35.29)

Hartstown 5km Parkrun: 23rd Graham Hopkins M40 (23.41)

Naas 5km Parkrun: 3rd Ian Redican M40 (19.59)

Waterstown 5km Parkrun: 1st Gavin Byrne (17.59 PB); 5th Colin Morrissey M35 (19.52)

National Masters Indoor Track & Field Championships at Athlone Arena: F50 3km Walk – 1st Anne Gormley (20.37.10): F35 Shot Putt – 2nd Anne Gormley (6.09m): M70 800m – 1st Terry Mee (2.52.25): M70 3000m – 2nd Terry Mee (12.43.22)

St. Patrick’s Festival 5km at City Centre: 11th Eoin Durkan (15.45); 29th Gavin Keogh (16.30); 46th Andrew Ledwith (16.57); 47th / 3rd Junior Fathi Aden (17.00); 48th Luke Boland (17.01); 73rd / 4th Junior Sekeriye Ahmed (17.40); 165th / 17th woman Michelle Childs (19.55); 172nd / 1st in M65 Barry Potts (20.05); 183rd / 13th in M45 Des Gill (20.14); 197th Tomas Griffin (20.35); 238thDarren Carey (21.08); 259th / 27th in M40 John Gleeson (21.28); 298th/ 33rd woman Eva Campion (22.02); 328th / 35th M40 Gary Fitzgerald (22.41); 353rd / 26th Junior Jack Raftery (22.57); 435th / 12th F45 Jennifer O’Keeffe (24.20 PB); 440th / 54th woman Michelle Dawson (24.23); 578th / 89th woman Maria O’Donoghue (26.08); 680th / 7th in M65 Michael Brophy (27.28); 769th / 57th M4 John Powell (28.40); 1149th / 73rd F40 Annemarie Conneely (33.00)

Team Result – Men: 1st Crusaders 53; 2nd Rathfarnham 55; 3rdClonliffe Harriers 78; 6th Donore Harriers <Keogh, Ledwith, Aden, Boland> 170

Barcelona Marathon: Alan Farrell M40 (3.09.52)

LATE RESULT: Kinvara Rock Half-Marathon (8/3/15): 470thDeirdre Healy (1.59.19)

JUVENILE RESULTS in brief:

Hartstown 5km Parkrun: 22nd Oliver Hopkins u/12s (23.41)

St. Patricks Festival 5km at City Centre: 47th / 3rd JNR Fathi Aden u/15s (17.00); 73rd / 4th JNR Sekeriye Ahmed u/16s (17.40); 353rd / 26th JNR Jack Raftery u/15s

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