The 20th annual Donoughmore athletic club’s seven mile road race took place on Friday night last, and attracted a big entry. Weather conditions were perfect for racing over what is regarded as a tough course.
Leevale’s Martin McCarthy, having his first race since the World cross country championships in Dublin last March, was in no mood for hanging around, and was using the race as a good blow-out before some more serious races in the next couple of months.
As soon as the gun went he was away on his own, with Robert Purcell from Desmond Currams in Kerry the only one to give chase. However, after a half a mile McCarthy was more than 50m clear, and going away.
After the first two uphill miles the course levelled out somewhat, and this is where McCarthy decided to really up the pace, putting in three fast miles, little realising that the last mile and a half is also uphill!
This is where his lack of racing caused problems as he slowed down somewhat, but was still able to keep on at a little over five minute mile pace.
Coming up to the finish he was still full of running and crossed the line in a time of 34:23, smashing the course record that stood at 36:22.
Behind him Robert Purcell retained his second place standing throughout (37:18), while Robbie Neill from North Cork was also on
his own for most of the way to finish third (37:49). Cillian O’Tuama (38:39) and Derek O’Leary (39:12) finished fourth and fifth.
Colette O’Riordan of West Muskerry Maintained her good recent form to win the women’s section (44:26) from Mary Sweeney of St. Finbarrs (45:20), with Mary Murphy of St. Finbarrs third (46:41).