Donegan and Coughlan the winners in Rhode race

Athletics: Healthy Offaly 5K Race Series - Rhode 5K

As the Healthy Offaly 5K Race Series approaches its conclusion, with only one race now remaining, Rhode AC hosted a highly successful event last Friday evening.

The race started and finished in the picturesque village of Rhode, taking participants on a scenic and relatively flat route along the country roads and canal bank. The 267 finishers enjoyed perfect running conditions and were fortunate to avoid the heavy rain that had been forecast.

Jack Donegan of Tullamore Harriers was first man home in 15.39, with clubmates Paul Mitchell and Cian Law 2nd and 3rd in 15.45 and 15.47 respectively. Mick Fogarty was 4th man in 15.48 making for a very exciting finish.

Evelyn Coughlan of Le Cheile AC was a clear winner in the ladies' race in 17.47 and Rachel Murphy (Plant Based AC) was 2nd in 18.25 with Ciara O’Connor Edenderry AC coming in 3rd in 18.31.

Well done to the organising committee from Rhode AC on the success of the race. As always, Offaly Athletics extends thanks to Offaly Civil Defence for their wonderful service and to Anto and Anne from Pop Up Races who managed the event admirably.

The last race in the 5k series will be hosted by Birr AC on Friday, August 2 (7.30pm).

Age group winners

1st Junior – Luke Mahon (Tullamore Harriers AC) and Siobhan O’Loughlin (St Michael’s AC, 19:44).

1st O40 – Jonathan Dunne (Tullamore Harriers) and Grace Reilly.

1st O45 – Mick Fogarty (Ferbane AC) and Denise Egan (Ferbane AC).

1st O50 – Lea Fulcher (Plant Based AC) and Ann Marie O’Dowd (Athlone AC, 20:42).

1st 060 – Eddie Newman (Mullingar Harriers AC) and Mary Galvin (Tullamore Harriers, 23:54).

1st O70 – Ger Woods (Banagher AC, 22:38) and Eileen Kenny (Tullamore Harriers, 22:59).

Team winners

Division 1 Ladies– 1st Tullamore Harriers, 2nd Ferbane AC, 3rd Naomh Mhuire AC.

Division 2 Ladies – 1st Rhode AC, 2nd Birr AC, 3rd Banagher AC.

Division 1 Men – 1st Tullamore Harriers AC, 2nd Ferbane AC, 3rd Naomh Mhuire AC.

Division 2 Men – 1st Edenderry AC, Kilcormac Killoughey, 3rd Banagher AC

Top 60 finishers

Jack Donegan (Tullamore Harriers) 15:39; Paul Mitchell (Tullamore Harriers) 15:44; Cian Law (Tullamore Harriers) 15:46; Mick Fogarty (Ferbane AC) 15:48; Peter Tuohy (Naas AC) 15:51; Kevin Minnock (Tullamore Harriers) 16:02; Jonathan Dunne (Tullamore Harriers) 16:06; Lea Fulcher (Plant Based AC) 16:33; Barry Mooney (Tullamore Harriers) 16:33; Luke Mahon (Tullamore Harriers) 16:37; Paul Buckley (Ferbane AC) 17:01; Ronan Hoare (Birr AC) 17:04; David Staunton (Clara AC) 17:07; Oliver Galvin (Clara AC) 17:12; Riley Connolly (St Michael’s AC) 17:15; Brenden Donagher (Naomh Mhuire AC) 17:22; Jimmy Coughlan (Naomh Mhuire AC) 17:28; Darragh Hynes (Ferbane AC) 17:42; Evelyn Coughlan (Le Chéile AC) 17:47; Sean McAuliffe (St Michael’s AC) 18:01; David Flaherty (Tullamore Harriers) 18:06; Daniel Molloy (Tullamore Harriers) 18:09; Gerard Cleary (Naomh Mhuire AC) 18:11; Declan Murphy (Naomh Mhuire AC) 18:14; Oran Buckley (Ferbane AC) 18:17; Mark Cleary (Birr AC) 18:19; Bashir Hussain (Athlone AC) 18:20; Stephen Woods 18:24; Rachel Murphy (Plant Based AC) 18:25; Nick McGowan (Tullamore Harriers) 18:24; Eddie Newman (Mullingar Harriers) 18:28; Ciara O'Connor (Edenderry AC) 18:31; Denise Egan (Ferbane AC) 18:38; Darren Butler (Tullamore Harriers) 18:40; Dervish Bartlett (Birr AC) 18:43; Eddie Lynch (Athlone AC) 18:44; Sean Murphy (Edenderry AC) 18:47; Caroline Donnellan (Edenderry AC) 18:52; Fred McHugh 18:51; Stephen Murphy (Newbridge AC) 19:03; Glen Mangan (Edenderry AC) 19:08; Sean Purcell (Clara AC) 19:07; Brian Fogarty (Birr AC) 19:08; Brian O'Connell (Eden Tri Club) 19:09; Brendan Hill (Ferbane AC) 19:08; Dermot Egan (Ferbane AC) 19:08; Liam Murphy (Naomh Mhuire AC) 19:12; Grace Reilly 19:14; Nick Gover (Rhode AC) 19:15; Mikie Horan (Banagher AC) 19:25; Jody O'Reilly (Tullamore Harriers) 19:28; JP McLoughlin (Rhode AC) 19:29; Andy Masterson (Birr AC) 19:30; Liam Coughlan (Banagher AC) 19:30; John Donegan (Tullamore Harriers)19:33; Alan Mitchell (Tullamore Harriers) 19:39; David Breen (Edenderry AC) 19:44; Siobhán O'Loughlin (St Michael’s AC) 19:44; Martin Delaney (Kilcormac Killoughey AC) 19:44; Sarah McNamee (Rhode AC) 19:47.

*See this week's Offaly Independent for more photos from the Rhode AC 5k race.