Miles of Rock and Road in Kinvara

ALMOST 500 athletes and outdoor enthusiasts turned out on Saturday to take part in the inaugural Kinvara Rock and Road Half Marathon and 10km race.
Spirits were high as the field made their way to the start line. The race got underway just after 11am to the cheers of the local supporters, who came out in their numbers to encourage the participants.
As the 10km race headed west from Kinvara, brothers Shane and Gary Scally from Nenagh Olympic moved to the front of the leading pack to lay their markers down early. The brothers ran close together and it wasn’t until the final 400m that Shane broke and went on to take first place, posting a time of 33.51, just two seconds ahead of Gary, who took second. Third in the men’s category was Anto Deveaney from Mayo AC. Veronica Colleran wasn’t far behind and took first place in the women’s race, posting a time of 38.01. She was followed in second place by Amy Goodday from Galway Tri Club at 46.11 and Moya McNulty in third place with a time of 46.33.
While the 10km field was finishing, nearly 200 athletes were still running the half marathon. While it was a relatively flat course, some found the undulating hills slightly deceptive. However, it didn’t bother Shane Boyle and Michael Shannon, who sparred for the duration at the front of the course. Michael Shannon eventually pulled away and finished in 1.12.51 to take first place, with Boyle posting a final time of 1.15.07 in second. Third in the men’s category went to Dermot Kearns from Limerick, 29 seconds later.
Most impressive, however, was Jill Hodgins in the women’s category, who set a blistering pace from the start. She powered her way through the course and posted a time of 1.21.47 to take first place, nearly 16 minutes in front of the next woman across the line. Hodgins was followed home by Eimear O’Leary in 1.37.33 and Ailbhe Burke in 1.37.50, who took second and third place respectively.
As the rest of the athletes arrived back over the finish line, most stayed around to enjoy the atmosphere on the quay and to cheer on their fellow runners.