A sea of red suits and white beards flooded on to the streets of Drogheda as both elite and recreational runners took part in the fiercely contested Christmas 5k road race, hosted by Drogheda and District AC.
The race kicked off in the Lourdes Stadium at 11am to a huge cheer and soon the athletes were well on their way along the Ballymakenny road and back again.
Jack Garvey, 16, finished in an amazing time of 16.26, and was part of the Boyne AC junior team who placed second overall.
Brothers Mark and Andrew White came home next in fantastic times of 18.23 and 18.25, respectively. While next across the line, and also part of the junior team, Seamus Keenan set a personal best with a fantastic timing of 19.00.
Just outside the sub 20, Eoin McEntee ran a super race to finish in 20.13, with Riley Byrne finishing next, running a solid race to set a new personal best of 20.35.
Louis Devitt, who finished in a fantastic time of 21.45, and Zion Oluwabowale, who finished in an excellent time of 21.50, battled each other to the finish line. Young Joe Bell completed the 5k distance in 23.53, with Oisin O Donoghue clocking in at 22.52.
Thomas Crosbie had a great run and came home in 29.58 In his first 5 km, Ciaran Garvey ran a great race and finished in a time of 36.18 with his mum Gina Garvey, finishing in 35.15.
Young Isabelle Winters led the junior girls’ team to victory, clocking in at 22.14, while accompanying her was Coach Timi Oluwabowale, a long distance specialist who ran alongside all the youngsters and giving positive encouragement and praise from start to finish.
Shauna Crosbie finished in 32.10 and Shauna Rice recorded 24.10, great runs from these two young ladies, who were also part of the Junior 1st place team.
Caitlin Hughes ran a super time of 31.14, with Laoise Black, Boynes final junior member home, enjoyed herself with an amazing time of 33.55.
The formidable Catherine Bell led the women’s squad with another incredible performance of 23.50, with Catherine Troy not far behind in 24.06. Gemma Fogarty had a great run with 28.06 while sisters Fiona Walsh and Nicola Stafford cruised in together sharing a time of 28.10.
Lisa collier recorded her first sub 30 minute run, finishing in 29.37, a super new PB time, with clubmate Deirdre Cadden coming home in 29.49. Michelle Crosbie finished the difficult, windy race in 32.06, with teammates Joan Cadden in 33.95, and Blathnaid Wall in 34.36.
Michael Black had an outstanding run, finishing sixth overall in his age category with a time of 29.48, well-paced and supported by long-distance expert, Mark Dowling, who crossed the line alongside Michael in 29.51.
Some of the Boyne AC crew at the Christmas 5k.
GOAL MILE
Boyne AC are encouraging everyone to take part in its annual Goal Mile on St Stephen’s Day at Meadow View Field at 11 a.m. as they wrap up the year.
Everyone is welcome, and there is going to be an enormous amount of fun and each participant will receive a certificate. A super way to work off those Christmas calories and support a worthy cause!
