Just a little after 8.00pm on Saturday last, the finishing chute of the Michael Manning Memorial Dunshaughlin 10km was buzzing with excitement when the announcement over the tannoy came through that the lead runner was approaching. The lead cars peeled away and seconds later an athletic figure came into view and at first it seemed as if he was hardly touching the ground such was the style of the leader. Since 1979 this race has had some very fine runners claim victory, but when young David Rooney crossed the line, there was the feeling that those present were seeing a runner with a very special talent. The young man from Portmarnock running for Raheny Shamrocks is only home from the United States a short while where he was running for McNeese State. Coming off the back of some super runs that include new school records for 5000m (14m 07.58 secs) and 10,000m (28m 54.86secs) he was always going to be in the mix in Dunshaughlin. Bounding effortlessly over the line in 30min 39secs, you couldn’t help but wonder how much more was in the tank if it were needed.
An inform Aoife Talty who also represents Raheny Shamrocks, began her early sporting life as a gymnast and she utilised those skills to perfection by displaying tremendous dexterity in the busy opening kilometre to stay out of trouble. The primary school teacher gained an early foothold in the race and after finishing third in last month’s Flora Mini Marathon in Dublin, this time she climbed to the top of the podium and claimed the ladies title with some very strong running resulting in a time of 35min 40secs.
The route brought participants from the new link road near the water tower through the main street of Dunshaughlin and out onto the country roads where many locals had set out impromptu water stations to help quench the thirst of more than 640 runners.
The first group of six runners passed the first kilometre in 2mins 55 secs and the first mile in a brisk 4mins 55secs. Vinnie Mulvey (Raheny Shamrocks) and Gerry Ryan (Craughwell AC) formed the leading trio along with young David Rooney. The pace was increased during the second mile and Vinnie Mulvey began to feel the heat first and began to drop back a little. Now it was the classic dual and the promise of a head to head for the remainder of the race. However, the screw was turned even more by Rooney with a second mile of 4min 38secs and this was enough to ensure that the older legs of Gerry Ryan started to burn. A member of the victorious Ireland U23 cross country team earlier in the year, David Rooney would soon add the Michael Manning Memorial title to his lengthening list of achievements. Five seconds clear after 5km he managed to open a comfortable lead and was never under any pressure to the line. Ryan still continued to work hard over the remaining kilometres and running in his first race since February last he crossed the line in 31mins 08secs. In doing so, he broke the O40 category course record of Gerry Kiernan set in 1995 by just three seconds to take home the P.J. Fagan award and prove his flame of desire to compete at the highest level is still burning strong. Vinnie Mulvey previously finished 2nd in this race and has had a tough time with injury over the past two years and so it is great to see him return to running at the business end of the field once more. He now has a third place in this race and so perhaps if he returns next year he might even take top honours and have the full set of podium finishes! Raheny Shamrocks had their two other scoring team members home without too much of a delay and so claimed the Men’s team title.
Aoife Talty had decided very early on that she was going to give this course a right good testing and so it proved to be the case. Pushing herself from the start through the first mile she was well clear of her nearest rival. Her 5km split was 17min 28secs saw her almost half a minute clear of Ailish Malone (Clonliffe Harriers) and Jill Hodgins a further 22 seconds adrift. The two inclines on the narrow road back into Dunshaughlin were taken with strength in depth by the striding Talty. She continued to work hard to earn her title and also earn bragging rights over last years winner and fellow club mate Barbara Sanchez by going 1 second faster with a time of 35min 40secs! Malone and Hodgins managed to hold their positions for the remainder of the race and finished in 36mins 25secs and 37min 28secs respectively. Raheny Shamrocks managed to have their first three finishers’ home in quick succession and in doing so manage to claim the ladies team prize for the third year in a row.
In total, three new category course records were established. Along with Gerry Ryan, the two other to set new bests were the ever youthful Mick Byrne of Wicklow (Sli Cualann) in the men’s O/50 section in a time of 34min 09secs. The other was by Dunshaughlin club member Shauna Moore in the junior women’s U/20 section. Shauna only recently won her first international vest and her time of 39min 42secs was almost a minute quicker than the previous mark set in 1995 by Fiona McGann from Trim. Shauna is enjoying a fine season and there is more to come from this talented local athlete.
Humidity was a big factor on the night, a high number of finishers commented that the heat had been tough to deal with. Many also rejoiced about the tremendous support offered to them by the big crowds of well wishers who lined the route and also about the many young children high fiving finishers as they approached the line. The recent upsurge in running and the desire for many to improve their fitness is one of the reasons behind so many people taking part in this event. Athletic clubs from all around Ireland were represented and no doubt the memories of a great evening will result in many returning next year to do it all over again. The infamous after race party in the community centre was enjoyed by hundreds and the local ICA were on hand to ensure that nobody left hungry! The next outing for many runners will be in Senchalstown on July 6th next for the South O’Hanlon 5km road race.
Dunshaughlin Athletic Club has ensured that people from far and wide will return again next year and no doubt they will have it written on their diaries as one of the ‘must do’ races for 2012. Perhaps some of them might even return a little sooner when in September next the Dunshaughlin Harvest Festival takes place at the same time The Solheim Cup comes to nearby Killeen Castle. The festival committee were busy offering strawberries and cream to visitors on the main street before the race began and the festive mood continued well into the evening.
Total Finishers 645 - (33 under 35 min; 128 under 40 min; 271 under 45 min; 396 under 50 min; 502 under 55 min.)
Photos: http://www.photography.paul-walsh.net/sport/athletics/dunshaughlin2011/index.html
FULL RACE RESULTS ON www.dunshaughlinac.com
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