Lombard Wins With Ease at Marina

The first Army / Cork Corporation road race was held over the Marina circuit today, in hot and very humid conditions.  Right from the gun there was a three man breakaway at the head of the field, with sixteen year old James Grufferty making his customary fast start.  He was joined by Ian O’Sullivan of UCC and Cathal Lombard of Leevale.  The trio reached the one mile mark in just under five minutes, but then Lombard began to impose his superiority on the race.  He gradually pulled away, and won in the utmost of ease in a time of 19:56, with O’Sullivan second in 21:24 and Grufferty third in 21:51.  They were followed by Ken Mulcahy, Mick Murphy, Barry Hayes, Noel Marshall, Willie Hayes, and Tom Shanahan.  Mary Sheehan had another clear victory in the womens section – her time of 23:45 well clear of Mary Sweeney in 24:32.  Vet wins were recorded by Willie Hayes over 40, Ted Twomey over 45, Mick Dunne over 50, Myles McHugh over 55, and John O’Leary over 60.