The 20th Longford Marathon took place on Sunday as the morning rain made for one of the wettest events since its inception in 2002. Cool conditions did make it quite good for running and there were plenty of excellent performances and good times recorded. Many thanks and well done to the event organisers and all that helped out on the day which saw big numbers in the different distances.
First to break the tape was Rian McCaffrey who enjoyed his second 5k victory of the week having also placed first at Wednesday’s Trail Run in Newcastle Woods. Rian sprinted across the line the clear winner coming in over a minute ahead of second. Leia Valentine was first lady finisher. Good running also by Adam Cronogue Flood, Vilte Krasikova, Tara Gately, Eoghan Mulligan, Abbie Mulligan, Thelma Garvey, Amy Jordan, Sandra Donaldson, Carmel Corr and Marian Dennigan.
The club also had great numbers in the half marathon with Adrianna Mulligan and Barry Sheil both pacing it well to take first place finishes with Declan Newman in the overall top ten too. Donal Mulligan, Edel Mooney, John Farrell, Derek O’Neill, Stephen McDermott, Caroline Smith, Philip Bannister, Seamus Murtagh, Colm Dooner, Martin Monaghan, Jacqueline Mahon, Maureen Finn and Deirdre Coffey all covered the distance in excellent times despite the damp conditions. Well done to Adrian Wróbel, Michael O’Hara, Sinead & Niall Nolan and Sinead Phelan who each did great jobs as pacers.
John Scott made it ten marathons for the year so far when placing ninth after the 26.2 miles with another good run when clocking 2:50. Anne Brady ran another strong race and, just like John, claimed the first local finisher spot. Also doing a super pacing job was Patryk Prusak who helped bring home a large group in under 4 hours.
There was success in the relay for the ‘Happy Feet’ team of Edel Nolan, Paddy Sharkey, Enda Coffey and Ross Gannon. The quartet combined to record an excellent 2:47 to top the podium. Coral Leisure ran well too to place fourth with Charlie Barone, Barry Hall, Darren Madden and Joe Shaw.
Well done to all and great to see the club so well represented on the day. Again, many thanks to the organisers/volunteers and congratulations to Liam Fenelon on completing his 350th marathon. The Longford Marathon continues to go from strength to strength and long may that continue.
