Saturday’s Ardagh Challenge saw a large number of club members take to the start line at the last local event of the year. In the 10 mile, Adrianna Mulligan ran strongly for first place overall and her 61:19 was 36 seconds inside the ten-year-old course record. Second lady home was Ashley Ryan in an excellent 63:09 for her first race back after injury. Congrats to both ladies running superb times on a tough course while Barry Sheil and John Scott both secured podium places in the men’s race after the ten rolling miles around Ardagh/Moydow.
In the 5k, Patryk Prusak and Edel Nolan each ran well to place in the top-3 of the senior categories. Also running swift times around the village were Max Gallagher, Rachel Keenan and Julie Taitt who were among the prizes in the juvenile age group. Well done to all involved in organising another very good event in Ardagh.
On St. Stephen’s Day, there were plenty of blue singlets too at the Shane Brennan 5k. Paddy Sharkey, who had been the first finisher in Lanesborough for the MS Christmas Day run, also took the honours in Newtownforbes crossing the line in a brisk 16:47. He was soon followed by Ciarán Madden, Ross Gannon and Ben Quinn to complete a Longford AC top four. Among the age category winners were Rian McCaffrey, Edel Nolan, Julie Taitt and Michael O’Hara. Congrats to all. Our thanks to the organisers and great to see the event back after a four-year absence.
Well done to all our members, both juvenile and senior, who were out in such good numbers supporting these local events this past week.
And that’s a wrap on a very successful and busy 2023 for the club. Wishing everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year.
