Sandis beats his previous best
Wednesday February 17 2010
SUNDAY LAST saw the biggest field ever at the start line of the MySport Enniscorthy 10k at Clonhaston. Some 370 runners and 70 walkers signed up for the fifth year of this popular race including local Slaney Olympic athlete, the in-form Tom Hogan who took the title last year.
With an extra ¤500 on offer, sponsored by Creane and Creane Insurance, to any athlete who could break the course record of 30.32, a quality field was expected. Current record holder, Sandis Bralatis of West Waterford A.C., returned to the race after an absence of two years hoping to regain his title and improve on his record.
From the off Sandis led the field, with Tom Hogan in close attendance. However, as the race developed, Sandis gradually pulled away, running strongly over the hilly middle section of the course.
As the clock clicked past the 30-minute mark, the excitement was building up at the finish line. Would the record be broken? Then race leader, Sandis, came into view and ran into the finish chute clocking a time of 30.25, seven seconds better than his own previous record.
In second place was Tom Hogan in a time of 31.51, with Dwayne Farrell of Tinryland A.C. third in 32.41. Close behind in 32.59 was county Masters cross-country champion, Kevin Murphy of Slaney Olympic.
In the women's race, Fiona Kehoe of Kilmore A.C. put in a great run, finishing in a time of 37.45. Anne O'Sullivan (D.M.P.) was second in 38.13, with Dublin runner, Mags Grennan of Clonliffe Harriers, finishing third in 41.08. Louise Nolan of Slaney Olympic put in a good performance, finishing fourth in 42.27.
First Junior home was Brian O'Neill of Ferns. Both the men's and women's team titles went to the host club, Slaney Olympic A.C.
In the veteran categories the results were: M35, Willie Rossiter (S.B.R.), 34.47; M40, Dave Barron (S.O.), 32.52; M50, Lar Lacey (St. Joseph's A.C.), 35.59; M60, Seán Meaney (Bray Runners), 41.19; M70, Tadhg Twomey (Metros), 46.49; W35, Catherine Kelly, 46.13; W40, Caroline Doyle (St. Killian's A.C.), 47.27; W50, Bernie Millar (S.O.), 49.22.
Race organiser, Joe O'Regan, was delighted with the turn-out and thanked Shamrocks G.A.A. club and St. Senan's primary school for the use of their facilities, as well as all marshals and helpers. With numbers growing and the popularity of the race ever increasing, the club hope to increase facilities and introduce chip timing next year.
