Hamilton and Turley top the podium in sun soaked Crossmaglen Sunday 29th July saw the second annual 10km Road Race Challenge in the picturesque town and countryside of Crossmaglen in the heart of South Armagh. The race started and finished in the grounds of the current and six times All Ireland club football champions Crossmaglen Rangers. 278 athletes completed the gruelling course of rolling hills which is deemed to have one of the toughest back 5km’s on the road race circuit. On a morning where there was torrential rain up to 20 minutes before the klaxon, somehow all entrants were treated to splendid sunshine and a cooling breeze for the duration of the race. The male category was a shoulder to shoulder dog fight until the foot of the toughest hill on the course between 8-9km marks on the Monug road leading back into Crossmaglen. It was shortly before the hill where Paddy Hamilton from Annadale Striders made his move on Gary O’Hanlon of Clonliffe Harriers and Martin Quinn from Dunleer AC. Hamilton stormed up Monug hill, through the town and over the finishing line in a blistering course record of 30.43. Track specialist O’Hanlon who made a valiant effort to defend his 2011 title pushed hard to the finish line was a mere 20 seconds back with the powerful Quinn finishing exactly one minute behind the champion.
In the females race it was a more straightforward affair, with one of the top runners in the country Julie Turley retaining her 2011 title and finishing a fantastic 4th overall in a magic time of 36.06, whilst shaving 6 seconds off her course record. The podium was completed by Monaghan Phoenix Stalwart and keen triathlete Donna Evans at 41.33, and local Crossmaglen athlete Patrice McEntee in a quality time of 43.30. Patrice has been working hard this year and improved on her 2011 result by 1.43.
As in 2011, PJ O’Neill was again the first Crossmaglen man across the line with 39.02 in 10th position, closely tracked by his sparring partner, Silverbridge’s Gareth Kelly who was 45 seconds behind O’Neill and 11th Place overall. Long distance specialist Stephen Quinn from Culloville, this time sporting the blue jersey of Newry City Runners arrived home in 15th place, whilst St. Patrick’s Cullyhanna’s Brendan Savage in his first 10km road run had no problem with the hills to cross the line in 16th at a time of 40.52. Another fantastic achievement was Crossmaglen Rangers minor star Callum Cumiskey pacing his first 10km road race in a great time of 41.55. Local triathlete Michael Connor, winner of the first Crossmaglen run back in 2009, made an excellent comeback to running after suffering serious injury two years ago, Mickey cruised home in 44.25. Crossmaglen Rangers three time All Ireland winning full back Paul Kernan also used the race as rehabilitation after his recent operation. He was closely monitored by the Rangers running coach and ex professional athlete Seamus McGeown. Two of Armagh’s star ladies footballers had an intense battle in the 16-29 age group category. Here Carrickruppen’s International netball star Caroline O’Hanlon pipped the impressive Clann Eireann’s Meabh Moriarty in a photo finish with a time of 43.54.
One of the biggest successes of the day was the large number of young men and women from the locality taking part in their first 10km run. Each and every one of them were delighted at making the step up to that distance, as were the joggers and walkers who all crossed the line with big smiles at achieving their goals.
The event as a whole turned out to be a complete success. All entrants from elite runners to casual walkers received a wonderful performance T Shirt and were awarded a Gold trophy at the finish line. Water stops and refreshments after the race were plentiful and presentations were made to podium winners and age group winner. This year the winner of the 16-29 age group received a fantastic prize of a Garmin Forerunner, aimed to encourage youth in the sport. There were also spot prizes for a few special guests including Carrickmacross man Tony Ward and his guide Sean Goodman who ran as a visually impaired team. Our oldest entrant the evergreen 79 year old Tommy Carlin from Newcastle Co. Down and the four glamorous ladies: Sharon Trimber, Debra Cully, Melissa Holdcroft and Joan Baxter who travelled all the way from Pittsburgh in USA to compete in the event.
Main presentation Results:
Male,
1st Male £150: Paddy Hamilton
2nd Male £100: Gary O’Hanlon
3rd Male £50: Martin Quinn
Male Age Group 16-29 Garmin Forerunner: Killian Heery
Male Age Group 30-39 Sports Voucher: David Griffin
Male Age Group 40-49 Sports Voucher: Paul Quigley
Male Age Group 50+ Sports Voucher: Michael Mulligan
Female,
1st Female £150: Julie Turley
2nd Female £100: Donna Evans
3rd Female £50: Patrice Mc Entee
Female Age Group 16-29 Garmin Forerunner: Caroline O’Hanlon
Female Age Group 30-39 Sports Voucher: Irene Mc Shane
Female Age Group 40-49 Sports Voucher: Tina Crawley
Female Age Group 50+ Sports Voucher: Sharon Trimber
The organising committee would like to thank all the entrants, sponsors, stewards and supporters who helped make this a fantastic event.
Our generous sponsors included Newry and Mourne district council, Martin Hardware, Shorts Bar, Ma Kearney’s, Buttercrane Bureau De Change, The Cartwheel Bar, McManus Tyres, Watters Electrical, Superbites, Bellew Electrical, Bar One Racing, Yellowtom, Savages Bakery, Autoline, Smart Clinic, Sean Cowan, Martin Woodturning, ABC Steel, Movie Zone, Culloville Tyre Centre, Donnolly Fuels, Shorts Bureau, Gary McShane, Oliver Short, Teirnans Solicitors, The Clarnagh Maid, Pat Kelly Butchers, Peter Larkin, Weight Watchers, Hanratty Bar and Turf Accountants, Luke Murphy’s Chemist, Stephen Kernan, Shorts Sports & Cycles, Cross Square Hotel, O’Reilly’s the Sweet People, Savage and Whitten Wholesale, Armstrong’s Centra and Glenprint.