Entries now open for opening event in Galway's cross-country season
More than 430 athletes take part in popular Craughwell AC road races
Galway’s cross-country season kicks off over the coming weeks, with Castlegar AC hosting their open races, which incorporate the Galway Senior and Masters championships, on Saturday week, September 19 at Galway Racecourse, Ballybrit. Entry is online via the Eventmaster website.
The Galway Primary Schools Cross Country championships will be held also in the racecourse, with the semi finals being held on Tuesday September 22, and the finals a week later on September 29. Entry is via schools only.
Meanwhile, more than 430 runners took part in the recent Craughwell Road Races, with 227 finishers in the 10km and 212 finishers in the 10 Mile race, making for another successful staging by Craughwell AC of one of Galway's best-supported road running events.
Athenry AC's Sam Nyhan produced a dominant performance to win the men's 10km in an impressive 34:43, finishing over a minute clear of his nearest challenger. Declan Brennan claimed second place in 35:49, while Daniel O'Brien completed the podium in 35:56.
The women's race was won by Laura Healy of Ennis Track AC, who stopped the clock at 38:17. Siobhán McArdle, new GCH signing, took second in 39:54, with Holly Shaughnessy of Tuam AC finishing third in 42:38.
Home club runner William Fitzgerald of Craughwell AC delivered a superb performance to win the 10 Mile race in 50:24. Abaas Adam Edris of West Coast AC secured second place in 53:59, while fellow Craughwell athlete Jordan Walsh took third in 56:34.
In the women's event, Helena O'Keeffe gave the local supporters plenty to cheer about as the Craughwell AC runner claimed victory in 1:06:58. Sinead Oakes-Higgins finished second female in 1:11:11, while Rebecca Conneely of Maree AC took third in 1:13:05.
The event attracted a total of 439 finishers across both races, with local clubs including Craughwell AC, Athenry AC, Galway City Harriers, and Ennis Track AC strongly represented throughout the results.