This year, it has changed to a more familar 10k race over a reasonably flat circuit so as to attract more runners. This year, it got 86 runners as opposed to 56 in 2009 and 63 in 2010.
The mens race was won by Sean Harnett in a time of 35:31. The photo shows Sean receiving his prize from his father, John Hartnett.
The womens race was won by Deirdre Nagle of Eagle AC in 41:00, over 3 minutes ahead of her nearest rival.
The full results can be seen HERE
Report from Athletics Ireland.....
There was an appropriate winner to the John Hartnett Challenge 10km road race at Ballyhooly in Cork as Sean Hartnett, the 20-year-old son of the former Olympian and Irish mile record holder, took the honours in a time of 35:31.
A student at Monmouth University in New Jersey, the younger Hartnett has a best of 15:21.47 for 5000 metres this year and completed the 10km circuit in a time of 35:31, over a half-minute clear of Fermoy triathlete Michael Lyons with Denis Dunne of Eagle finishing in third place.
Deirdre Nagle, also of Eagle, took the women’s race in 41 minutes flat with Karen Kenny and Clotilde Fitzgibbon, both of Grange-Fermoy, finishing in second and third positions.
Afterwards, John Hartnett spoke movingly about his young days in Ballyhooly, remembering all those who helped him to win the International Junior Cross-Country title at Vichy in France back in 1970 and of his time at Villanova University where he was ranked amongst the world’s top middle-distance runners.
He competed in the 1972 Olympics in the 5000 metres and in 1973, at Eugene in Oregon, he broke Ronnie Delany’s Irish mile record with a time of 3:54.7 – which still ranks as the 11th fastest on the Irish all-time list – and the same year he was honoured as the Penn Relays Most Outstanding Performer.
The following year of 1974, Hartnett ran a memorable 3:56.3 mile on the old Mardyke grass track during the Cork City Sports.
7 comments:
Just finished the race.. yes a few drags but overall it was a lovely course. Great atmosphere in the village and around the course. John Hartnett started it and apparently his son won it...well done to all those who took part and organised..
I ran this the first year it was held and would have gone again this year but for the change of course. Road races are ten a penny at the moment and this race was quite unique with its mixed track/road/hill course. I loved the old course. Now its turned into just another road race. Yawn!
I have to disagree with Paul V. it has not turned into "just another road race" it has a magical and a very special atmosphere. The presence of John Hartnett himself and his very humble speech after really added to the occasion. Yes it is very different to the previous two occasions but was certainly better that most other road races. Long may it run.
Sean
Ran 10k road race yesterday really well organised. Fantastic atmosphere in the village - lots of support around the course. Great run, thanks to all involved. Looking forward to next year run already:)
I ran it and enjoyed it a very fair 10k. it,s impossible to please everyone, with so many races on at the moment.
I went up, thought it was very poorly organized. Arrived at the village, no signs where to go, only to be directed completely the wrong way by 3 stewards! No indication where to park, there were cars all over the place, a right mess! A bit more expensive than most other runs too, 10 euro vs 5 or 8 that most other runs are these days.
Its a hard place to find anyway, no signs for Ballyhooly until you get pretty close, even directions on corkrunning a day or 2 in advance would have been a good help but no.
Don't think I'll be bothering with this next year.
enjoyed race - lovely course with a good mix of hills and downhill sections....great food and well organised! any chance of having the race at an earlier time? If you are travelling any distance, it can take up a large part of a Sunday afternoon.
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