Farranfore St. Stephen's Day 5K 2021
It was a beautiful day for our 60th Annual Farranfore St. Stephen’s Day Road Race held on Sunday 26th December 2021. The morning began with some showers but soon began to clear giving ideal conditions for participants. The dry, warm weather brought out more than 400 runners and spectators. We had close to 100 participants in the 2K Fun Run/Walk. This was our second year holding this event and it has proven very popular for our young children and parents to get out a be part of the atmosphere.We had 299 participants in our main event, the 5K timed Race. To recognise our 60th year of running this event we had Tom McCarthy present to start the races. Tom was the very first athlete to win the road race back in 1961. This year his son, Ted and grandson, Conor, were taking part in this years 5K.
In attandance was two Olympians: Our club race walker David Kenny & Michelle Finn (Leevale AC) back to contest her title after just recently representing Ireland in the Euro XC and earlier in the year she was in Tokyo taking part in the Steeplechase.
Full Results: Results 5K 2021
From the start it was Oisin Spillane (Tralee Harriers), Derek Griffin from Tralee, Aogán Mac domhnaill (West Limerick AC), Tony Harty (Killarney Valley AC) who set the pace as they climbed the hill heading out of the village towards the railway crossing. Hot on their heals was Michelle Finn (Leevale AC) sitting in nicely amongst the lead group. After the 1K mark Oisin Spillane was starting to open up a comfortable lead just behing was Derek, Aogán, Michelle & Tony. Keeping in contact was Donore Harriers Sorcha Nic dhomhnaill. By the time Oisin had reached the half way turn around point the field of 299 was well strung out along the road.
At the finish line everyone was waiting in aticipation as they looked towards the top of the hill to see who would be first in sight. Eyes changing from the hill to the time clock. 14 minutes, still no sign, comment made that Mark Hanrahans course record of 14:38 was safe. Just they over the horizon a figure could be see, just the one runner, no one else in sight. As he made his way down the hill with just 400m to go, word whispered Oisin Spillane, his long hair blowing in the wind gave it away. Cheers came out as he past the finish line in 15:13. A battle was on for the next two positions but in the downhill stretch it was Tralee man, Derek Griffin (15:58) who edged out Aogán Mac domhnaill by just 4 sec. Hot on his heels was Olympian and National Senior XC winner, Michelle Finn winning in a time of 16:05. Breaking the current course she held by an amazing 13 sec. Local man Tony Harty was just behind (16:15) fighting to hold off our second lady, Sorcha Nic dhomhnaill finishing in a time of 16:19.
Third lady finisher was Niamh O'Mahony (An Riocht AC) in a time of 17:20.
First club runner home was Arthur Fitzgerald in a time of 17:25. Mary Daly was our first lady finisher 19:12 & seventh lady overall.
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,
The Supporting Sponsors: THE BREHON, 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!
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,
The Supporting Sponsors: THE BREHON, 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!
A view from the back of the field .
The race took off and pure adrenaline forced us all up the hill without any recollection of how we got there. The view from the top of the hill looking down at the course was like a rippling caterpillar effect of athletes running. Already you could see the lead group fast approaching the small uphill to the turn around mark while we were almost being pulled behind them down the hill to hit the flat.
Everyone around was working so hard to their own ability and feeling the effects of fatigue or maybe the consequences of the Christmas dinner from the day before. But everyone pushing on and working together wishing each other well with plenty of encouragement from onlookers and fellow athletes.
The lead runners led the way home with great efficiency and effortless technique, almost floating and inspiring the rest of the oncoming field to keep working, showing empathy with an odd side glance to oncoming runners acknowledging we were all feeling the same discomfort. Glad to have the downhill after the turnaround mark to refocus on getting home. Lactic threshold now beginning to wane and muscle fatigue beginning to take hold upsetting the nice rhythm we built up. All the while plenty of inspiration coming from the surrounding athletes, some running for the first time, some had disabilities. T
here were athletes of all ages running with no excuses only with the same goal in mind to get the job done. As we hit the last uphill to the finish the lead group were certainly finished and mental toughness had to take over to pull the rest of us up the hill knowing once we got to the top we had a downhill finish.
Pace slowed going up the hill, chatter stopped but once we hit the flat at the top momentum was gathered and pace increased adrenaline building up again with a downhill finish line in sight. Encouragement rekindled and reserve energy now tapped into for the final 600m finish. Everyone striding out hard until safely across the finish line.
Delighted to get the Job Done.