Ferbane AC’s Fogarty edges out Mitchell in Kilcormac 10k race
Offaly Athletics News
Offaly Athletics congratulates all the participants of the Jack Cox 10k, which was run in Kilcormac on Sunday last, June 18.
The race, hosted by Kilcormac Killoughey AC, was a superbly organised event with very complimentary feedback from athletes and spectators alike.
This is the second edition of the race, dedicated to a local Kilcormac man, Jack Cox, who was the first Offaly man to win the national marathon championships in 1950.
With a field of over 250 athletes, it saw a significant increase in finishers compared to last year, which certainly bodes well for future editions of this competition. It was Round 2 of the Offaly Endurance Series, which serves as the Offaly 10k Road Race Championships, and this year each finisher was presented with a beautiful bespoke medal.
Before the 255 athletes set off, just outside the Faithful Fields in Kilcormac, a moment of silence was observed in memory of Tullamore Harriers athlete Noel Guilfoyle, who was sadly laid to rest last week.
From the gun, Mick Fogarty of Ferbane AC led the pack and maintained his position to take the win, just over 30 seconds ahead of last year’s winner, Paul Mitchell from Tullamore Harriers. Mick clocked a superb time of 32.21, and Paul 32.59. Third place went to Daniel Ryan Ellis from Nenagh Olympic AC in 33.34.
The first lady Heather Murphy of St. Michael’s AC, a regular participant in the Offaly 5k and endurance circuit. Heather, who was third in this race last year, clocked 36.14, bettering her previous time by just over 4 minutes.
The second lady was Grace Reilly from Portlaoise AC, and third was Denise Egan from Ferbane AC.
Age group winners
1st O40: Evelyn Herlihy (41:41) and Jonathan Dunne (34:15) - both Tullamore Harriers AC.
1st O45: Michelle Mullaney (45:06) and Padraig Berry (36:24) - both Tullamore Harriers AC.
1st O50: Rita Daly Ravenhill (44:23, Tullamore Harriers AC) and Brendan Donagher (35:45, Naomh Mhuire AC).
1st O60: Ann Spain and Eddie Lynch (39:19).
1st O70: Eileen Kenny (48:26, Athlone AC) and Ger Woods (47:21, Banagher AC).
1st Junior: Roisin Byrne (55:15) and Joe Maher (59:01).
Fixtures
16th July: Frank Kilrane 10 Mile, Edenderry.
21st July: Rhode AC 5k.
4th August: Birr AC 5k.
26th August: Bord na Mona Tullamore Harriers Half Marathon.