Great Ireland Run 10k (inc AAI National 10k Championships):

Rio Olympian Kerry O’Flaherty (Newcastle AC) claimed 2nd place in today’s Garmin Great Ireland Run in Dublin, Ireland (Sunday 15th April 2018).

The event also incorporated the AAI National 10k Championships.

In a close race, the Newcastle AC athlete clocked 35:00 for the runners up spot, which also secured a silver medal in the National Championship competition.  The race was won by Shona Heaslip in 34:52 (1st place), with England’s Gemma Steel taking 3rd place in 35:08.‬  Laura Shaughnessy (DSD AC) claimed 4th place and rounded out the national podium in 35:15.

After the race, Kerry expressed her delight on social media, posting:  “A great day for the Irish, delighted to make the podium & retain the Sean Kyle team trophy.”

The men’s race was won by Oliver Lockley (England) in a thrilling finish – Oliver recorded 30:18 (1st place) and just behind was Brian Maher (Kilkenny City Harriers) in 2nd place in 30:20, Mick Clohisey (Raheny Shamrock) in 3rd place in 30:22, Sergiu Ciobanu (Clonliffe Harriers) in 4th place in 30:23 and England’s Jack Gray in 5th place in 30:25.

In the team competition between Ireland and England, it was Ireland who retained the Sean Kyle Cup.

There were other notable performances by local athletes.  In the ladies race, Finn Valley AC’s Teresa Doherty took 6th place in 35:35, while Bethanie Murray (DSD AC) also made the top ten with a finish time of 36:33 (9th place).  Lifford Strabane AC’s Claire McGuigan ran 37:54 for 15th place and National Duathlon Champion Heather Foley (Unattached) clocked 38:52 for 21st place.

In the men’s race, North Belfast Harriers’ Mark McKinstry led the local contingent home in 32:00 for 14th place.  Just two seconds split Finn Valley AC’s Gerard Gallagher (32:33) and North Belfast Harriers’ John Black (32:35) as they claimed 21st place and 22nd place respectively.  Philip Goss (North Belfast Harriers) also ran well, clocking 33:11 for 26th place.

Full results for the event are available HERE.

Photo by Great Ireland Run Team.