O’Rourke Wins Novartis 5k, O’Leary Wins Over-60s

 

The annual Novartis 5k road race was held in bright sunny weather conditions tonight.  In this, the third year of the event, almost two hundred participated, making it one of the most popular races in Cork.  Michael Dunne was first to show in the lead as the runners made their way on the downhill first half mile or so.  However, the more experienced runners were content to sit back, and then began to exert their authority as the race turned the corner onto an uphill climb.  It didn’t take Billy O’Rourke and Cathal O’Connell too long to put a gap between themselves and the others.  They ran shoulder to shoulder until about half a mile to go when O’Rourke made the decisive move and broke clear, going on to win in a time of 15:30, with O’Connell second in 15:40.  Ian O’Sullivan made it three for UCC finishing third in 16:19, ahead of Ted O’Flynn (16:23), Eamon McEvoy (16:32), Michael Dunne (16:35), Paul O’Mahony (16:37), and Fergal Tubridy (16:54). Mary Sheehan once again won the womens race in a time of 17:54 from Edel Mooney (18:22), Carmel Parnell (18:29), and Mary Sweeney (18:55).  Vet win were recorded by Paul Dinan over 40, Eamon McEvoy over 45, David Cotter over 50, George Webb over 55, John O’Leary (left) over 60, Catriona McGreggor over 35, and Rose Crockett over 40.