Following a morning of heavy rainfall, the athletes that braved the elements for the 32nd Luggacurren 10k had yet again another very successful event.
The race got off to a lively start with Brian Kelly, St. Abban’s AC and Jack McMahon, Ballyroan Abbeyleix & District (BA&D) setting the pace right from the start followed closely by a group of runners from Newbridge, Ballyroan Abbeyleix & District, and St. Abbans.
Kelly and McMahon held the lead with Kelly pulling away at the 8k mark to finish strong and win his first Luggaccuren 10k title in a time of 33:49, followed by Jack McMahon in 34:24.
Dean Ryan, Newbridge AC finished third in a time of 35:46 followed closely by Ronan O’Reilly BA&D who was fourth in a time of 35:55.
In fifth place overall, John Fenlon, St. Abban’s AC had a great run of 36:00 to take first place in the O-40 category with team mates, Dermot Ayres and PJ Leonard taking 2nd and 3rd prizes in 36:52 and 38:19 respectively.
St. Abban’s AC Junior athletes, Will Duffy, 38:14 and Shane Stynes, 38:17 ran a very competitive race with Duffy edging Stynes by a mere three seconds to take his first Junior title in Luggacurren.
In the O-50 category, Sean Delaney, Kilkenny City Harriers, finished 13th overall to win the O-50 category in 39:58.
He was followed by Derek Coogan, St. Michael’s, 2nd in a time of 41:54 and Pierre Kelly, St. Abban’s, 3rd in a time of 50:44.
Martin McDonald, BA&D had a great run, taking the O-60 Category in a time of 41:42, followed closely in 2nd place by Aengus Burke, Portlaoise AC in a time of 41:58, with Brian O’Reilly, Laragh AC 3rd in a time of 52:54.
The team event sponsored by PJ and Martha Dunne, Dunne’s Transport, Shanrath and was won by St. Abban’s, with a score of 19 points. The team was Brian Kelly, John Fenlon, David McEvoy and Dermot Ayres.
In the Ladies race, defending champion, Lisa Sweeney, St. Michael’s AC held her title to win her second Luggacurren 10k in a row in a time of 38:48.
Teammates, Siobhán Burke and Caitriona McDonald, St. Abban’s AC took 2nd and 3rd places in 45:56 and 48:18 respectively.
Tara Leigh, Tinryland AC finished 4th in a time of 48:30. Liz McWey won the O40 Category in a time of 49:08.
The team event sponsored by PJ and Martha Dunne, Dunne’s Transport, Shanrath was won by St. Abban’s AC with a total of 63 points. The team was Siobhán Burke, Caitriona McDonald and Theresa Dunne.
A spokesperson for the race said: “Well done to everyone who turned out for this Luggacurren event. A most enjoyable day was had by all.
“Thank you to all who helped make the event such a success.
“We are most grateful to all our kind sponsors who continue to support the event.
“Many thanks to all who prepared the route and had the course looking splendid on the day.
“Special thanks to the caterers for the most welcome refreshments after the race, and to all volunteers who gave of their time. It is much appreciated by the committee.”
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