Kennedy is best in Neville 10 road race

The annual Neville 10-Mile Road Race was run off last Sunday on an out and back course on the Birr road and finishing on the tarmac lap in the Harriers. The race is run on a handicap basis and Jim Dolan had an early lead on a perfect morning for running. At the six mile mark Dolan was overtaken by Andy O'Grady and Brendan Kennedy. This pair ran together for a while but with just over two miles to go Kennedy got away from O'Grady and ran strong to come home a well deserved winner. Behind Brendan Kennedy came Fra Mollen, who was having his best race ever, to finish second just 27 seconds adrift. Liz Cuskelly finished in third place in a time of 61.49, which was the fastest woman on the day. Liam Byrne ran a very steady race to come home in fourth place, while Johnny Feery had a great run in fifth place. Mick Murphy, who started from scratch, recorded the fastest time of the day of 58.45. Results (with adjusted times in brackets) 1 Brendan Kennedy 82.40 (73.40); 2 Fra Mollen 83.07 (68.07); 3 Liz Cuskelly 83.49 (61.49); 4 Liam Byrne 83.56 (68.56); 5 Johnny Feery 83.59 (58.59); 6 Martina Conlon 84.27 (76.27); 7 John O'Connell 84.48 (62.48); 8 Andy O'Grady 85.03 (76.03); 9 Jody O'Reilly 85.08 (59.08); 10 Joe Wrafter 85.17 (68.17); 11 Catch Grennan 85.22 (59.22); 12 John Donegan 85.55 (59.55); 13 Pat Conlon 86.03 (62.33); 14 Mick Murphy 86.45 (58.45); 15 Mary Daly 87.19 (72.19); 16 Declan Fahey 87.24 (59.24); 17 James Mahon 87.47 (78.47); 18 Darren Butler 90.16 (74.16); 19 Maire Triona Keane 90.19 (72.19); 20 Jim Dolan 91.45 (91.45); 21 Pauline Curley 94.07 (68.07). Waterside Half Marathon Pauline Curley made the long trip to Derry for the Waterside Half-Marathon last Saturday. There was a big field of runners and the race also doubled up as the Northern Ireland Championships. Winner in 2007 and runner-up last year, Pauline ran very well and came home an easy winner in a time of 1.19.58. Business Houses Athletics Association John Todd made a welcome return to competition after a long injury lay off when he competed in the Business Houses Zurich Insurance 2 mile track race in Ringsend, Dublin, recently. As it was his first race for a while John was happy to finish in a time of 11.55. A fitter John Todd was back in action again last Saturday, this time competing in the Pearl-Izumi 10k road race in Tallaght. John placed 30th in a big field and 1st over 55 in a good time of 37.34. Declan Madden was 20th and 1st over 40 in 36.32. Sympathy Tullamore Harriers extend deepest sympathy to Noel Gowran and family on the death of Noirin Gowran. The club also extends sympathy to Deirdre Lambe and the Lambe family on the death of her uncle, former Offaly football great Larry Coughlan. Fixtures September 27th: Gowran 8 mile road race at 10am. October 4th: Discover Tullamore 5k Road Race around the town and open to everyone. October 11th: Offaly Novice and Masters Cross Country Championships in Charleville Estate, Tullamore, at 10am. Training Tuesday and Thursday at 6.30pm, Sunday morning at 8.30am Except on a race day.