The Bord Na Mona Tullamore Half Marathon was a huge success this year with just over 1,200 runners signing up. It was certainly back with a bang this year. When a lot of events were down in numbers, the Tullamore Half Marathon was hitting record numbers. The event has a special aura and real strong sense of club tradition that attracts runners. It has grown over the years and the good news of how good this event is reaching far and wide. Runners from all over the country ran today with a phenomenal crew from Lucan Harriers.
The Event hosted by Tullamore Harriers offers runners a great running experience. Their state of the art faciilities contributes to their top class event. Runners enter the stadium and onto the athletics track to be greated by a wall of sound from the cheering spectatators. The track finish allowed runners to cross the line feeling safe and sound after their tough run. It also allowed for them to greet their fellow club mates as they entered the track for their lap of honour to the finish line. Runners basqued in the sunmmer sunshine and spoke of their great experience with other like minded participants. The most commonly used description of the course was "honest". With some great performances runners came away with a great sense of achievment.
This event was also part of the Athletics Leinster Half Marathon and Offaly Championships. This year's race favourite Peter Somba of Dunboyne AC won the race in a time of 1:07:24. In 2nd place was Mick Fogarty of Febane AC running a stunning race and breaking the 70 mins mark clocking a time of 1:09:43. Derek Crammond of Sli Cualann was 3rd. The men's race was deep with quality runners as the field behind came thick and fast.
The women's race was won by Catherine O'Connor of Sli Culann in a time of 1:23:27. Catherine has had a great year winning 4 world masters medals recently in Finland. In 2nd place was Caroline Donnelly of Edenderry AC. Heather Murphy of St. Michael's AC was 3rd.
There were also age cat awards and team prizes. The men's team award was the Quinlan Cup and this went to Tullamore Harriers. The women's Phylis Delaney Cup went to Athlone AC.
Huge congratulations to Tullamore Harriers and their crew of volunteers for putting on another graet event.
For full results see links below.
Bord na Mona Tullamore Half Marathon Results (open race)
LEINSTER ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS
START LINE
PETER SOMBA WINNER
CATHERINE O'CONNOR WINNER
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