Luggacurran celebrates 21st birthday
Daragh Brennan, Jordan Langton, D�ire Lacey and Robbie Langton, Ballyadams warming up at the 21st Annual Luggacurren 10K. Picture: Alf Harvey.
There was a great atmosphere on Sunday last for the 21st Luggacurren 10K, with large crowds entering both the walk and competitive run sections.
The fine day encouraged many families with children of all ages to take part. The growing awareness of health and fitness was evident on the day. Weather conditions were dry with light winds. While the wind suited walkers it created an extra challenge for runners where every second counts!
The race kicked off at 1pm with a group of six breaking away right from the word go, Eddie O’Neill (Tinryland), Thomas Hayes (KCH), David McPherson (KCH), Julio Ceser (Kilmurry Brickane), Paul Buckley (Ferbane) and Colm Burke (St Abban’s). This group kept pace up to the 4k mark where O’Neill and Hayes upped the tempo and moved ahead over the next few kilometers.
At the 7k mark Hayes had taken an eight to ten metre lead, but with 2k to go O’Neill had fought back, overtook Hayes and edged home with four seconds of a lead to win his first Luggacurren 10K.
Clubmate David McPherson came home 3rd followed by Julio Ceser 4th and Paul Buckley 5th. Great runs were had by St Abban’s athletes Kevin Brennan and Cormac Kelly in the Junior Section finishing 1st and 2nd respectively.
The ladies section saw Catherine Murphy (O40) of Slaney Olympics take a confident lead from early on. Murphy kept this position throughout and was first lady to cross the line earning her, her first Luggacurren 10k title.
She was followed in 2nd place by Teresa Agar (St Abban’s), 3rd Breda Roche (St Abban’s), 4th Grace McDonald (Ballyroan Abbeyleix), 5th Evelyn Cashman (Individual) and in 6th place Patricia Ramsbottom (St Abban’s). Kate McDonald (Ballyroan Abbeyleix) won the Junior Lady section.
The team events, sponsored by PJ and Martha Dunne, Dunne Transport, Shanrath, were won by St Abban’s with a total of 36 points for the men’s team and 95 for the ladies team.
The organisers wish to thank all participants and all who helped and gave of their time to make this event such a success and to our loyal sponsors who continue to support.
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Weather for Portlaoise
Monday 20 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 8 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 9 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: North west
