The final race in the Nike Ballycotton Summer Series of five mile road races took place in the ever splendid village itself tonight. The beautiful summer-like weather certainly brought competitors out of the woodwork, with 220 completing the course. As a contest this final race ended shortly after the start, with William Harty, a member of the KCK club in Waterford racing into the lead form the gun. Clocking 4:37 for the first mile he opened a big gap on Leevale’s Roy Fahy, the only runner to make any attempt to go with the youngster. By the one mile mark Harty was well clear, and increased his advantage with every passing mile to win in time of 25:15, with Fahy clocking 25:31. There was a big chasing group behind the first two, only breaking up in the final mile or so. And it was Garrett Barry of North Cork who came out best, taking third in 25:56, four seconds ahead of Cathal O’Connell of St. Finbarrs. Next came John Kearney of East Cork (26:04), Peter Duggan St. Joseph’s (26:22), Eric Meade of East Cork (26:27), James McGee of Leevale (26:31), Ian O’Sullivan of East Cork (26:54), and Ted O’Flynn of Leevale (26:56). There were two newly crowned National champions amongst the big entry, Ken Nason the 1,500m champion, and Mark Carroll the 5,000m champion. They availed of the opportunity to get out of the hot city conditions for the much more favourable seaside breeze. They both just jogged around the course, no doubt enjoying the beautiful scenery! Mark didn’t go home empty handed however, because he scored on the Leevale team that finished second to East Cork! Louise Cavanagh of UCC is busy these days re-writing the records for the Ballycotton series, and she set her second record here, winning the womens section in a time of 28:17. But she had to fight all the way for the win as Nicki Nealon, a visitor to the region, finished second just six seconds behind. Ann Lennon from Mayo was third in 28:59, with Mary Sheehan of Grange Fermoy fourth in 29:24, another English visitor, Alison Raw was fifth (29:37), and Mary Sweeney of St. Finbarrs sixth (31:09). Vet wins were recorded by Ted O’Flynn over 40; Eamon McEvoy St. Finbarrs over 45; Frank Cashman East Cork over 50: Fred Walsh Youghal over 55: John O’Leary Leevale over 60; Catriona McGreggor Midleton over 35, Tina Fulginati Cork BHAA over 40: Frankie Devlin Midleton over 45; Kathleen O’Brien Ballynoe over 50; and Pam Buckley St. Finbarrs over 60. Overall placings in the series saw Garrett Barry come out on top with a cumulative time of 1:43:59, with Eric Meade second with 1:44:32. Mary Sheehan was best of the women with 1:58:48, ahead of Mary Sweeney with 2:05:40.