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Elite
Men
Just a couple of years ago, Martin Fagan would have
been absolutely delighted to finish 3rd in the Great Ireland Run, but such is his emergence
as a World class athlete that he was visibly disappointed on Sunday 5th April after a fantastic 10km race
in the Phoenix Park. He ran with his customary aggressive front running style, testing the leading group now and then with
a surge of pace. It was an extremely competitive race that came right down to the finish where he just lost out in the final
run in to the line by only 2 seconds.
Third overall and first Irish man home;
when he reflects on his performance, he’ll know that it was a great run for him and one that reinforces his fast growing
International reputation.
Others
Of course it wasn’t all about elite runners, and among the more than 10,000 other athletes taking part was a good
group from Mullingar, led home by Paddy Kelly finishing a brilliant 47th
overall, followed by Matt Glennon not far behind to finish 5th
in his age-group. Justin Murtagh had a really good run to finish next,
followed by Maurice Looby and Eddie Newman
very close after, continuing his preparations for the Boston Marathon. Mary Scully
really excelled to finish 6th woman and 1st in her age-group, pushed along by Kieran
Nolan. Alwyn Kinane clearly enjoyed the race and finished 21st woman and 17th in her age-group,
followed by Darragh Thornton, with Patricia Broderick
completing the Mullingar contingent and finishing a fine 12th in her age-group.
Junior
There was a junior race
too and given her abilities shown over the recent cross country season, no surprise that Ciara
Hewson finished 4th overall and was 1st girl home. We even got to see her quick interview
with RTE television after the race.
Also competing in the junior race and making it quite a day for the Glennon
family was Edel (9th girl), Kevin,
Rachel, Sarah and Susan. Reports tell us that the Mullingar athletes thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere before,
during and after the various races and that great “craic” was had by all.
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