Lough Furnace 10km – review The second Lough Furnace 10km race took place last Sunday October 21st at Derrada, just outside Newport, with great success. The race was organised by Georgia MacMillan and Gerry Kilroy on behalf of Westport Senior AC and sanctioned by AAI.
For spectators, the weather was glorious, with a slight breeze and the sun shining bright to highlight the scenic course on offer. For some of the 61 competitors – the breeze turned into a ‘gale’ around the 6thKilometer along the route which ncluded some short sharp hills and it was a personal race to the water station before the finish line could even be contemplated. The race winner was Padraic Marrey Western Lakes CC in an impressive time of 37.58. Second home was Noel Gibbons, Mayo AC in 38.07 followed by Brendan Conway, Westport in a time of 38.23.
First to cross the line for the women was Edel Roache, in a time of 47.23. Miriam Mc Carney came home second in 52.24, followed by Emma Haugh, GMIT in Third place in a time of 53.09.
Sincere thanks local residents & all the volunteers who gave up their time to marshall, to Sinead Cusack and Derrada Community Hall for the use of the facility and the wonderful refreshments, soup and brown bread. Huge thanks to Michael Sheridan, Newport Centra for his kind contribution of all the water fruit & bars, Newport Gardai and the Red Cross. To Josephine Kilroy from Kilroy taxis for the shuttle bus service from Newport to Derrada.
Special mention to Con Doherty’s father John who calmly managed the finishing line on one of the most exciting days of sport for them as Con won bronze in the international junior triathlete championships at the weekend in Auckland, New Zealand. This is the first time that a junior Irish athlete has ever made the podium at an international triathlon championship race, so this is a historic first for the country. Congratulations Con from all in Westport Senior AC Club.
Lastly a huge thanks to all the competitors who supported the event – we hope to see you all again next year!