Eirgrid Dunboyne 51st Road Race 10k, Sunday 27th March 2022
Three years have passed since Dunboyne AC’s Annual Road Race was last hosted. Sunday 27th March 2022 saw the return of the short race with the big reputation for only the second time in the new 10k format. More than 850 athletes had registered in advance, including plenty of depth at the front of both the men and women’s races.
The reputation and attention to detail that the club has built up over more than 51 years of hosting their road race was again on display on what was a wonderful spring day which felt more like summer with a sunny 17 degrees in a southerly breeze. Great conditions to run or spectate a road race.
Over 150 children ran the juvenile races at the club’s 400m track which preceded the main event and each got a great cheer and a medal (and lollipops) as they crossed the finish line.
The 10k route proved very popular with all and its fast potential was evident with 7 athletes crossing the line in less than 32 minutes (and a further 31 athletes arriving in under 35 minutes). The men’s race saw Clonliffe Harrier’s athlete Efrem Gidey take first place in a fantastic time of 28:25, followed closely in second by Jake O’Regan, St. Johns AC, 30:10, and third was John Paul Williamson, unattached, 30:40. Colin Maher, Ballyfin AC fourth, 30:44, Sean Doran Clonliffe Harriers, fifth, 31:26 and Mick Fogarty Ferbane AC, sixth, 31:31.
The women’s race saw Fionnuala McCormack, Kilcoole AC first across the line in a fast 32:27. In second place was Ciara Hickey of Brothers Pearse AC, 34:55 and third was Sheila O’Byrne of Slí Cualann AC, 36:20. Fourth (and first junior in the women’s race) was Ava Costello of Trim AC, 36:41. Fifth was Sinead Whitelaw, Mullingar Harriers, 37:08 and sixth was Amy Moran, Dundrum South Dublin, 37:27.
The team races were hotly contested too, with Portmarnock AC taking the honours in the men’s with Donore Harriers 2nd, Brothers Pearse 3rd and Dunboyne AC in 4th. Mullingar Harriers took the women’s team prize with Crusaders AC 2nd and Dunboyne AC 3rd and Donore Harriers in 4th.
The Meath Athletics 10k Road Race Championships for 2022 was also included in the race. This provided some extra spice for Meath athletes and an added incentive to perform both individually and for their club. The host Club Dunboyne AC took the men’s and women’s top team placings. Rory Kavanagh of Dunboyne AC was the very popular winner of the Meath Championship. The very talented and upcoming star Ava Costello won the women’s title in the Meath Championship. More details on the Meath Championships to follow once the results are made official by the board.
The Eirgrid Dunboyne 10k prides itself on the race experience it provides for all runners and whilst the big guns played it out for honours at the front, there were 570 crossing the finish line on the day from top club standard right through to those C25K athletes that last October set their sights on completing the daunting challenge of their first race over any distance and have since expanded their goals running with distinction on the day. Each athlete received loud cheers as they passed through the village at the start and once again at the finish. Unfortunately, for health reasons the club were not in a position to provide the ever-famous Dunboyne post-race entertainment and refreshments afterwards this year, but here’s hoping it will return next year.
Dunboyne AC would like to express its heartfelt gratitude to all who ran, supported, sponsored, and volunteered for this hugely successful 51st Road Race – and second Dunboyne 10k.
We look forward to the next two races in the Club race series, the Clonee 10k on June 23rd and the Carton Trail race on 28th July.
Full results for the race are available here
A large range of photos are available in our club Flickr page here
