The popular annual Cloonacool 5k took place in the South Sligo village on Sunday February 26. It is promoted by the local GAA club.
Conditions were good for running – the sun shone, it was dry with a light breeze amid the backdrop of the Ox mountains and early reaches of the Moy river.
An excellent turnout of 265 runners and walkers completed the decent out and back course.
Race winner was John Travers (Donore Harriers AC) in a new course record 15:07 – well inside Richard Gorman’s 15:51 from 2015.
Sligo-based Irish Olympian Travers has a 14:16 5k pb and looked relaxed as he led two Sligo AC runners home – Matthew McMeekin 2nd in 15:45 and Shane Hayes 3rd in 15:47.
The first three women across the line were all from Sligo AC:
1 Eimear O’Brien 18:01
2 Eimear O’Connor 18:49
3 Mari Johnston 19:11
Other prizewinners:
NS boy Michael James Walsh 20.36. NS girl Caoimhe Fearon 24.44 St Nathy’s. SS boy Fiachra Haughey 18.45. SS girl Alannna Murtagh. SS AC 23.16. Local woman Nuala Mc Carrick 21.28. Local man Eoin Carty 19.02
Well done to Mayo AC finishers: Paula Donnellan 20:53, Ronnie Naylor 21:55 and Jimmy Feeney 23:01.
The Cloonacool 5k was excellently organised– Bill Carty led the local team who put on another well managed event. After the race a fine range of refreshments were provided in the clubhouse and at two al fresco tables.
Full results are at www.mayoac.com
