McMahon and McDonald Take Top Honours at the Luggacurren 10K

THE 33rd annual Luggacurren 10K took place on Sunday on a new course. It was decided to remove a section of the old route that saw athletes running on the very busy N80. The new course is now an out-and-back route, safely contained on the local roads used by the old course.

There was a great turnout for the non-competitive 5K and 10K events, which got underway at 12.30pm. This was followed at 1pm by the competitive 10K.

Competitors welcomed the fact that the new course included an extra 600m of downhill running from the starting point. It took them past the hall and over the finish line, where plenty of supporters were on hand to cheer everyone on.

Jack McMahon of Ballyroan led the field out at a strong pace. Small groups began to form early on, and as the kilometres passed, the field gradually spread out.

It was a double victory for Ballyroan, with Breda McDonald and Jack McMahon taking the honours in the women’s and men’s races respectively, both leading from start to finish.

There were plenty of individual battles behind them. Megan McCarthy of Kilkenny City Harriers finished second in the women’s race, with Lisa Sweeney of St Michael’s in third and Sadie Wheatley taking fourth place.

The men’s race also saw some great performances, with Joe Breen of SBR finishing second, Stephen Hunter of St Abban’s taking third and Nikolas De Giorgis of Portlaoise finishing fourth.#

Jack McMahon and Breda McDonald, both of Ballyroan, therefore had the honour of becoming the first winners on the new course and consequently now hold its course records. Well done to you both!

The late PJ Dunne was also remembered. In 2004, he donated the two Perpetual Cups that have since been presented each year to the winning men’s and women’s teams.

This year’s men’s team competition proved to be a hard-fought two-way battle, with St Abban’s just pipping Ballyroan by a mere four points. There were no women’s teams this year, so the cup remained with St Abban’s, who won it last year.

Feedback at the end of the day was very positive, with many people praising how well organised the race was. The jury is still out, however, on whether the old course was more challenging!

We would like to thank everyone who contributed to making this year’s race such a success. A lot of work went into planning and preparing the new course, and we are extremely grateful to all the volunteers who marshalled along the route and manned the start and finish lines.

Thanks also to everyone who provided and served the fabulous refreshments afterwards. A huge thank you must go to all our race sponsors, without whom this event would not be possible.

See you all next year for Luggacurren No. 34