O’Hanlon claims sixth marathon win of the year in Clonakilty

Gary O’Hanlon

Local runner Gary O’Hanlon won his sixth marathon of the year on Saturday when he led the field home in the Clonakilty Waterfront event in a time of 2:46.06.

O’Hanlon, who hails from Kilkerley but who runs for the Clonliffe Harriers club in Dublin, only took over the lead in the final three miles but finished comfortably clear of Raivis Zakis of West Waterford (2:47.59) and Rory Mooney (2:48.36).

The victory was even more impressive considering O’Hanlon had to overcome a niggling leg injury that had been bothering him for most of the previous week.

“It felt like a hamstring problem and I was hoping that I would be able to complete the distance on Saturday,” he told FIT Magazine.

“I had to run with a bit of caution but I am delighted to win what is a really brilliant event.”

This was O’Hanlon’s second successive victory in Clonakilty and comes just weeks after a sixth place finish in the Dublin Marathon that could have been better but for an incident which saw his phone stolen just hours before the race.

Related articles

• O’Hanlon’s marathon hopes hit by phone thieves (talkofthetown.ie)

O’Hanlon finishes sixth in Dublin marathon

Gary O’Hanlon

Kilkerley man Gary O’Hanlon was the sixth place finisher overall in yesterday’s Dublin Marathon.

Gary, who runs with the Clonliffe Harriers club in Dublin, finished in a time of 02:23:54, less than five minutes behind winner Sean Hehir, who finished in 02:18:19.

O’Hanlon’s performance was also enough to see him claim the men’s over 35 category.

A large number of other local runners also competed the racing including Gerard Fay of North East Runners, who completed his 100^th marathon and Gerry O’Connell from the same club, who was the 100th finisher in a time of 02:48:57, which was enough for third place in the mens over 50 category. Well done to all.

Related articles

• O’Hanlon continues Dublin Marathon preparations with win in Athlone (talkofthetown.ie)

Date set for Patsy Kelly 5k

The course for the Patsy Kelly 5k

A date has been announced for the third running of the Patsy Kelly 5K race, which is jointly organised by Clan na Gael GFC and North East Runners.

The race will be held on 12^th April 2014. Information in relation to entry details will be announced in the next month.

The 2013 race had close to 600 entrants and organisers are hoping to attract greater numbers in 2014.

The race itself is a memorial race for Patsy Kelly who was a member of both the Clans and North East Runners.

Felda/Setanta 10k road race and fun run this Saturday

The annual Felda/Setanta 10k road race and fun run takes place this Saturday.

The event gets underway from Felda on the Dublin Road at 11am, with the sign-up taking place from 9.30am.

The race starts beside Felda before heading up the Dublin Road to the Greengates and turns left and down into Blackrock. It goes through the village and turns left up Sandy Lane and then at the crossroads at the top of Sandy Lane turns right back down onto the main Dundalk/Blackrock Road, where you turn left (heading towards Dundalk).

You continue on this route until the turn into Finnabair Industrial Estate where you turn left past Heinz and up onto the bypass. Here you turn left up to the traffic lights at the main junction and turn left back up to Felda.

All support for the event is welcome with registrations still being taken at www.felda.ie/10k. All proceeds raised from the event will go towards the Irish Cancer Society’s Relay For Life.

O’Hanlon reigns in Limerick

Gary O’Hanlon crosses the finish line in the Limerick Run

There was celebrations for Kilkerley man Gary O’Hanlon this afternoon after he came home in first place in the Great Limerick Run.

Running the marathon, O’Hanlon – who runs with the Clonliffe Harriers club in Dublin – finished in a time of 02:29:45, almost six minutes clear of the second placed finisher.

O’Hanlon warmed up for the event by winning the Patsy Kelly 5k race in Dundalk last month and is expected to compete in next week’s Mint Run Dundalk 10k, having won the now defunct half marathon in each of the last two years.

Previously: Over 500 compete in Patsy Kelly 5k