Grufferty Overcomes Stitch for Second Place in Churchtown South

 

The third leg of the Nike Ballycotton five mile series of road races moved to Churchtown South on Thursday, and was, as always, well supported.  The hot sunny weather conditions made the going tough for most of the competitors.  As ever it was seventeen year old William Harty from KCK who took the lead from the gun, with another junior, James Grufferty from Leevale giving chase in second place.  The course in Churchtown South is a two lap one, and at half way Harty was clear, although he didn’t have the margin expected, just fifty or so metres ahead of Grufferty.  However, a stitch around the three mile mark slowed the challenge of Grufferty, allowing Peter Duggan from St. Joseph’s into second.  The order remained the same until the runners turned into the short 200m finish straight when Grufferty, still trailing Duggan, managed a sprint that took him into second, behind all the way winner Harty.  Leevale’s Damien Collins was 10th in 27:48.  Carmel Crowley from Bandon maintained her good road form with a comprehensive win in the womens section, well clear of Mary Sheehan of Grange Fermoy.  Leevale’s Claire Gibbons was 4th in 31:25. ( Results).