Race Report - Farranfore St. Stephen's Day 5K 2019

Farranfore St. Stephen's Day 5K

It was a beautiful day for our 58th Annual Farranfore St. Stephen’s Day Road Race held on Thursday 26th December 2019. The dry weather brought out more than 400 runners and spectators. We had more than 100 participants in the 2K Fun Run/Walk. This was our first time holding this event and feedback was very positive. We had 320 participants in our main event, the 5K timed Race. The race was started by long serving club member and chairman, Jerome Crowley.
Full Results:2019-farranfore-st-stephens-day-5k-road
Photo Album:facebook Album

Conor O'Mahony of An Riocht AC was coming from a great season of running, winning the County Senior Cross Country and placed fourth in the National Novice XC only two week previous, made his presence felt by leading from the starting gun. A few meters behind was Eddie O'Connor of Listowel AC. Approaching the turn around point, O'Mahony had opened a sizable gap from O'Connor and some distance behind was a group of six athletes working together to try and keep the gap from increasing. Among-st this group of men was our leading lady, Michelle Finn (Leevale AC). Michelle also had a great season, representing Ireland in the European & World Steeplechase. Recently she ran 9:03 for 3000m and broke 16mins in the New Market 5K. Amongst the men was our club member, Arthur Fitzgerald, Cian Murphy Iveragh AC, Donal Leahy Listowel AC, Derek Griffin and Sean McGrath East Cork.

Approaching the long pull back into Farranfore, Conor has increased his lead further, with Eddie O'Connor holding onto second place. The fight now was for third place. Michelle Finn began to take the lead within the group of men and slowly one by one they began to fall off.

Conor O'Mahony was the clear winner at a time of 15:47 and Eddie O'Connor second place 16:05. Michelle Finn was third and overall female winner in a time of 16:18, breaking the course record by 8sec from 2015 champion Laura Crowe (An Riocht AC). 

Just behind Michelle was Cian Murphy of Iveragh AC (16:19) holding off Sean McGrath to take third place. Sorcha Nic Domhaill (West Limerick AC) was second female 17:49 and Niamh O'Mahony (An Riocht AC) was third 18:10. Arthur Fitzgerald was first club member home finishing in 8th place 16:48.

Well done to all our club members who competed. Category winners were:

Barry Murray 1st & Dermot Dineen 2nd O40. Ger Ladden 2nd O55, Michael O'Connor 1st O70, Cian Spillane 1st U17. Mary Daly 6th Senior, Deridre Nagle 1st & Liz Lynch 2nd O40, Caitriona Barry 1st & Emer Bevan 2nd O45 and Shauna McCarthy 1st U17, 

On behalf of Farranfore Maine Valley Athletic Club, we would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who sponsored, volunteered and participated in the event. This annual event helps raise money in support of the club’s year-round programs. Thanks to more than 400 runners, family members, and volunteers who came out to support. We hope this annual event continues to grow and receive the continued support of the community.
The club acknowledges the following area businesses and organizations whose kind support helped to enable us to run a safe and successful event: Main Sponsors: DUNNES STORES, KERRY AIRPORT, MORIARTY’S CENTRA FOODSTORE, CREDIT UNION KILLARNEY, LEE STRAND
The Supporting Sponsors: LIDL, THE BREHON, MIKE MCKENNA SIGNS, AVONDALE PROJECTS, MARKS&SPENSER, SUPERVALU, A FIT BODY GYM. please take note of ALL of our sponsors and support them throughout the year. There would be no race without them.
In closing, the club would also like to thank all race participants, the local council, Order Of Malta, An Garda Siochan and all of the special volunteers who took the time to help on race day and for all of the "behind the scenes" work. We could not have done it without you! Hope to see you all next year.
Be Active, Be Healthy… Be There!