Club well represented at two testing eight miler road races

First three women home in the Knocknarea Mountain Loop 8 Miler: Patricia Foy (centre) with Niamh Nicholson (left) second and Deirdre Deering (right) third.

by Club PRO Paul Deering 

Testing hill runs were the order of the week-end with eight mile road races at opposite ends of the county.

On Friday night in excellent running conditions, a field of 100 brave runners took to the Gleniff Horseshoe in the latest race in the County League sponsored by Sligo Credit Union and Filan's Centra. Switched to an eight miler this year, the route was as tough as ever, starting and ending at the Ben Whisken Centre. Seamus Somers flew the flag for the club coming home third in an impressive 47.50 followed by Dannon Hannon (5th overall, first over 50) in 48.27. North Leitrim AC's Liam Feely led the field home in 45.02. Alan Kearns was 7th in 50.15 with Ross Downey 8th in 50.18 and Neal Higgins 9th in 51.00.

The race in the women's categories was every bit as close and exciting with Mari Johnston continuing her good form this year, triumphing in 54.40 followed by Aisling Van Rensburg (North Sligo) in 54.56 and Roseanne Mitchell in 58.55, the latter returning to near her best after recent injury. Fiona Fahey Gilmartin was eight in 61.04 and Pauline Henry 11th in 64.37. Noelle Galvin continues to improve and finished in 67.59. The club picked up a number of category prizes. Full results can be found here.

Attention switched to Strandhill on Sunday and the club had many runners amongst the 144 strong field in the 8 Mile Knocknarea Mountain Loop Race. The highest placed club member was Richard Gorman who was runner up to Liam Feely who did the double. Richard, who intends concentrating on cross country this coming winter, completed the testing route in 44.42, some 22 seconds behind the North Leitrim AC athlete. The next highest placed Sligo AC runner was Damien Kennedy (5th) in 52.04 with Karl Boyce (8th) in 53.57 and Joe Stagg (15th) in 57.08 (first over 50) and Philip Morrison 24th in 58.22.

Sligo AC recorded a victory through Patricia Foy who was first woman home in an excellent 55.05. Deirdre Deering was third woman across the line in 60.52 with Fiona Fahey Gilmartin fourth (third senior) in 62.03 and Catherine Bradley fifth in 62.08 and Ashling Cawley sixth in 63.13. Full results can be found here.

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