This year’s National half marathon was incorporated into the inaugural Rock n Roll Dublin half which wound it’s way through the city streets and beyond with music at every mile, and taking in some of the tougher parts of the traditional Dublin marathon course. Despite the challenges of the course along the way, there were some brilliant runs by Donore participants. Fergal Whitty took a gamble on the early pace but it paid off, he smashed his PB to finish a superb 14th overall in 71.23. Ken Norgrove was second home in an excellent 73.54 and then Darren Hand in 74.48. Six more Donore men John Dunne 75.26, Niall Lynch 75.33, Fred Kiernan 77.12, Graham Hopkin 77.37, Philip Hennessey 78.39 and George Brady 79.11 finished in the next 4 minutes of the race with many PBs in there. Next were Tony Dunne 84.04, Shane McCauley 84, Stephen Dawson 87.00, Tony Griffin 90.28, Charlie O’Neill 91.07 and Des Gill. This was a super effort from the men who targeted this race as a team and although full championship results are not yet available, they have surely come in for medals.

The women’s team was depleted by injuries and unfortunately Anne Curley had to pull out after two miles with a recurring leg injury. Florence Curley suffered from an early fast pace but still did a solid 87.28. Alma Hanevy had a great run and was delighted with a 93.12 PB, Fit 4 Life runner Elaine Verdon ran a super 1.44.08, Angela Eustace got another PB in 1.46.42 and first time half marathoners Suzanne McCarthy 1.47 and Lorraine O’Shea 1.47.02 did fantastically well on their debuts, Laura Murray completed the team in 2.07. The hardworking Donore stewards provided great support in the early stages of the race and there were plenty more familiar Donore faces dotted along the way. Well done to all.

Sorcha Nic Dhomhnaill continues to knock spots off her 5K time and went under 18 minutes for the first time in the Michael Fearon 5k organised by Glenmore AC in scenic Waterford. She ran a fantastic 17.57 and was 2nd woman, beaten only by the back in form Fiona Reid of Dunboyne. Barbara Murray is racing her way back into good form and did 20.14. Their coach Jim McNamara was the 1st M70 in 22.02. Down in her native Wexford Sinead Lambe won the women’s title in the hilly Ballymurn 4 mile. There was success for the women in the Griffeen 5k Parkrun where Nicola Dowdall 22.00, Michelle Ruddy 22.35 and Joan McTernan 23.03 took the first three female placings and Terry Mee ran 22.41. Caren Crowley was a delighted 1st placed female in the Rush Festival 10k.

Overseas at the Flanders Cup in Ghent Belgium, Eamonn Fahey won the Long Jump event in an international field with a best of 7.20 metres and also ran in the 100m heats. John Travers ran 3.55 in the 1500m.