Waterford AC’s Frank Quinlan finished in fourth place in last Saturday’s Waterford AC Half-Marathon
The Waterford AC Half Marathon, which was due to be held before Christmas, attracted a huge number of athletes to Waterford when the re-scheduled event went ahead on Saturday last.
Victory went to Mick Clohessy (Raheny Shamrocks AC) who finished 46 seconds ahead of Mark Hanrahan (Leevale) with John Meade (St Finbarr’s) in third.
Clare Gibbons McCarthy (Leeveale) was the first lady home.
Mayor of Waterford Cllr John Cummins was the official starter of the race that began and finished at the WIT Sports Campus in Carriganore.
From the gun the pre race favourite National Cross Country champion Mick Clohessy (Raheny Shamrocks) set the pace together with Mark Hanrahan (Leevale) and Tom Fitzpatrick from Tallaght. Then after a few miles it turned in to a two man battle up front between Clohessy and Hanrahan as they ran side by side.
With approximately ten miles covered Clohessy upped the pace and gradually drew clear to eventually go on and win in a very good time of 1 hour four minutes and 25 seconds. Hanrahan finished second in 1.05.09 while John Meade St Finbarr’s was third in 1.11.19. Frank Quinlan was the first Waterford athlete home in fourth place in 1.13.11.
Clare Gibbons Mc Carthy (Leevale) was first lady home in 1 16.45, again a very impressive performance. Siobhan Doherty (Borrisokane) was second in 1.18.08 and Pauline Curley (Tullamore) finished third in 1.20.28.
The following were the category winners Men M40 Joe Cunningham (St Finbarr’s), M45 John Murphy (Grange/Fermoy), M50 Eddie Newman (Mullingar), M55 Eugene Doherty (Sliabh Bhui Rovers Wexford), M 60 Jim O’Connor (Waterford).
Women F35 Alma Hanevy (Ind), F40 Tara Kennedy (Monks Defence Forces), F45 Maria Griffin (St Joseph’s), F50 Joan Ennis (Grange Fermoy), F55 Marilyn Nyquist (DLPR).
The organisers wish to thank their sponsors, the Gardai for a great job around the course, Order of Malta, catering ladies, registration desk, help desk, the many stewards including all at water stations, Mount Sion GAA, St. Saviours GAA, Ferrybank Scouts, DLS Scouts, The Biscuit Club, Dunmore East Coastguard and management and staff at WIT Sports Campus. All helped make the event most enjoyable and successful.
