The 30th Evening Echo Women’s Mini Marathon was held Sunday and attracted in the region of 11,000m participants
. The race is organised by Cork County Board of Athletics Ireland and is a major source of funding for athletics in Cork, as well as raising millions for charities all over Munster.
Heavy overnight rain cleared just about an hour before the start and the race enjoyed some nice September sunshine. The rain did cause some flooding on the Marina, but was cleared by Cork City Fire Brigade to whom the organisers are extremely grateful.
Lizzie Lee (Leevale AC) and Carmel Crowley (Bandon AC) were the leaders after a mile, but were joined by Claire McCarthy (St. Finbarr’s AC) and Orla Drumm (UCC AC) shortly after. Crowley was first to lose contact as they raced along the Marina towards Blackrock village.
The only hill on the course is in the village, which is the halfway mark of the race. As happens regularly the runner who makes a break on this hill is usually the one who wins, and so it was again today. Lizzie Lee, winner of the 5,000m at the Woodie’s DIY national championships last month, was the one to make the break that brought her clear of her rivals and she was able to maintain that lead to the finish to win in 21:58. McCarthy was second and Drumm was third ahead of Crowley.
Martina Kiely (St. Finbarr’s AC), who was fifth, is better known by her maiden name of Hickey, and was a very talented junior some ten year ago.
Results;
4 miles (less 200m)
1. Lizzie Lee (Leevale AC) 21.58
2. Claire McCarthy (St. Finbarr’s AC) 22.05
3. Orla Drumm (UCC AC) 22.26
4. Carmel Crowley (Bandon AC) 22.53
5. Martina Kiely (St. Finbarr’s AC) 22.58
6. Niamh O’Sullivan (An Riocht AC) 23.46
7. Sinead Keaveney (Midleton AC) 23.54
8. Carmel Parnell (Leevale AC) 23.59
9. Niamh Roe (Eagle AC) 24.34
10. Ann Donnelly (St. Finbarr’s AC) 25.02
