Drogheda and District supplied nearly 50 of the 1545 runners, joggers and walkers who spilled down Laurences Street, Drogheda in a spectacular sun-drenched display of lycra and sports socks as the Tholsel bell pealed out three on Sunday afternoon last. In a carnival atmosphere, heightened by intoxicating samba drumbeats, Ronnie Delaney, 1956 gold-medal Olympian and true gentleman, launched the 2012 Boyne 10k race, which grew 50% on 2011 numbers. The girls on the back of the bouncing flatbed truck who led the warmup outside the Credit Union, gratefully returned to ground level and race director Gerry O’Connor breathed a sigh of relief after months of meticulous planning and preparation appeared to be paying off.
Any relaxation was short-lived however as only 32 minutes showed on the clock when last years winner Simon Ryan loped back up the cruel final uphill stretch to retain his title, more than a minute ahead of the rest of the field. Local man Simon, who runs these days with Raheny Shamrocks AC under the guidance of another legend in Irish running, Dick Hooper, then saw fellow Raheny athlete, Fiona Roche come home in 35:39 to win the womens’ race.
Local fireman Paul Smith was first of the DDAC contingent to power up the finishing stretch. He was fifth overall in 35:10 just ahead of Patrick O’Grady in 35:26 and seventh place. Robbie Maher was home for tea in 36:24 and this trio colluded to take the coveted mens team prize.
The ladies were not to be outdone however; Nuala ‘The Queen’ Reilly, Marion Doherty and Sally Tipping combined to also take home the womens’ team gold in times of 42:12, 42:25 and 44:39 respectively.
Nuala secured her customary O/50 title – a very nice addition to Saturdays award of ‘BHAA Athlete of the Year’ – our Drogheda and District Lady Captain continues to lead by superb example. Other category wins include Patrick O’Grady’s victory in the male O/50. Mens Captain Conor Cooney was third in the same section, and Robbie Maher claimed second in the male O/40. Jim Leonard trounced hundreds of younger participants, finishing in just over the hour and took home second in O/70.
Last years race director, Geoff Fitzpatrick showed a fine return to form with 41:42 and good to see Mary McGreehan O’Grady back competing with a strong 49:25 for her efforts. A delighted Christopher Carolan knocked a sizeable three minutes off last years time and proud and glamorous club mum, Angela Campbell watched her equally glamorous daughter Nikitta dimple round the course in a strong 1:05:05 debut.
Other club newcomers enjoyed great local racing too; Martina O’Connor Dyas was serene as always, offering calm encouragement to more experienced runners before the off. Tara Curran, Linda Byrne Cruise, and Joe Ward all did themselves proud and Geraldine Ronan McManus commented ‘my first proper race today and I can say it was fantastic. Everything was so well organised. I’m delighted to be part of the club. Thanks to all the marshals. You don’t know how much the shouts of encouragement really kept us going.’
And that of course was the other story; many of Drogheda and District AC’s athletes swapped running vests for high-vis stewards jackets on Sunday, ensuring the race proceeded without incident all along the 10k route. Indoors, a further flotilla of helpers served up tea, coffee and a dazzling array of sandwiches and sweet treats to the ravenous finishers. Chief Burco boiler babe was Ciara O’Reilly who segued seamlessly to that position from a 34:20 and third place category prizewinner in Saturday’s 5miler in Donnybrook. Spot prizes brightened the afternoon for many who would not earn podium places and many vowed to return next year on the strength of the goody-bags and refreshments alone.
Away from the madding crowd, Drogheda and District AC members Oliver Clare and Gerard Fay got on with running five marathons between them this Bank Holiday weekend. Oliver opened with the Ballyhoura Mountain Marathon in north Cork on Friday. He completed that in 6hrs59mins and after icing his shins, proceeded to Limerick for his Sunday follow-up. 4hrs03mins this time on a much flatter course and it was Belfast on Monday for the hattrick. Gerard nursed aching calves to finish the Limerick marathon in 5hrs02mins and the titanic task of Belfast also faced him when Monday dawned. Gerard has now completed 74 marathons, with a target of 26 more to go in the coming 18months. ‘Cystic Fibrosis Ireland’ benefits from Gerard’s tireless fundraising and Oliver is fundraising for ‘Reachout’, a mental health organisation.
The current interest in running in Drogheda was reflected in the massive turnout for Sunday’s race. Local sponsorship helped to make the day a wonderful success too and this year’s charitable organisation ‘The Tania McCabe Foundation’ will benefit alongside local athletics. Drogheda and District AC would like to thank all who participated as well as helped in any way. If you want to train with others in a more formal setting, we would welcome you any Tuesday or Thursday evening at 7pm in Meadowview field.
Marion Doherty, Conor Cooney (mens captain), Sally Tipping and Nuala 'The Queen' Reilly (ladies' captain) during the 2012 Boyne 10k race
