Dozens of Laois Runners took part in the recent Frank Duffy 10 mile run in the Phoenix Park with one Laois runner putting in a sub one hour time.
A record field of over 6,000 runners took part in the event. Amongst them was David Walsh-Kemmis from North Laois AC who finished in a superb time of 59min 48sec. Scottish club runner, Andy Douglas of Inverclyde AC, however took the honours, on the gloriously sunny Saturday morning in Phoenix Park.
The Scot, who has never visited Ireland before, finished comfortably ahead of the 6,000 plus race participants in a time of 50:52.
Speaking after the race Douglas said: “I’m absolutely delighted; I never expected to come here and win it. It’s not an easy course and the hills definitely present a challenge so I had to balance those out, but I’m happy with my time.” Coming in second place was Clonliffe Harriers Mark Kenneally, who despite taking most of the summer off due to illness looked comfortable as he crossed the finish less a minute behind the leader.
In the Women’s field, Maria McCambridge followed up her win in the Lifestyle Sports-adidas Irish Runner 5 mile last month, coming in first in a phenomenal time of 56.41.“The conditions were great today. I got in with a good group of runners at the start which really kept me going and I’m just delighted with the win,” she said.