Kealy follows up Mini-Marathon with Irish Runner title

Raheny Shamrocks Annette Kealy followed up her success in June’s mini-marathon by claiming the Women’s title in Saturday’s Irish Runner Five Mile Challenge, the first of the Lifestyle Sports-adidas Race Series meets in the Phoenix Park. Kealy’s crossed the line in 28.22 – her win capping what has been a remarkable season so far for the veteran runner, who also competed for Ireland in the World Cross country championships in Edinburgh in March.

And it was success on the double for Shamrocks, with her club mate Vinny Mulvey winning the men’s title in a time of 23.27.

Coming in a close second, as in the mini-marathon, was Tullamore’s Pauline Curley, a former winner in 2005 and 2006, and runner-up in 2007. The Offaly woman was quick to congratulate Kealy with a hug, declaring “It’s your year Annette, this is your year”

“It’s certainly been one of the best years I’ve ever had” said the 40 year old Kealy “It was such an honour to represent Ireland at the World’s, and then, winning the mini-marathon, it’s been a dream of mine since I was 17.”

“Its great racing against Pauline as well, it’s good to have someone like that to fight against and keep you going and pushing yourself to do better”


Race winner Vinny Murphy led the field from the start, and no one pushed to challenge his lead “To be honest, it’s tougher to be out there on your own like that, I knew I had the race won after a mile, and that’s not really a good thing to be honest when you are trying to get a good time”

“It was raining and quite windy, and when no one is on your heels pushing you own, it’s harder to motivate yourself – you are really just competing with yourself and the clock at that point, so overall, I was happy enough with the time I did, as I know that in different conditions I could have really shaved some time of it”

Chris Erichsen, originally from Minesota, but now living in Galway was 2nd, while last years runner up, Sergiu Turea from Clonliffe Harries was third. Another Raheny Shamrocks man Richie Yeates, who is home from the summer where he is on a running scholarship with Providence, finished 4th.


A record entry of 3,600 took part in today’s race and Organisers Frank Greally and Jim Aughney were delighted with the turn out “This was a record field for us, it’s great to have seen this event grow from small numbers back in 2002 to the huge field today” said Greally “There was a great elite field, as well as serious and casual runners and walkers, and it’s great to see so many people back out enjoying road racing again”

The next challenge in the Lifestyle Sports-adidas Race Series is the 10 mile, on Saturday August 16th.

Men’s Top 3
Vinny Mulvey, Raheny Shamrocks, 23.27
Chris Erichson, Galway, 24.32
Sergui Turea Clonlifee Harriers 24.50


Women’s Top 3
Annette Kealy, Raheny Shamrocks, 28.22
Pauline Curley, Tullamore, 28.53
Elizabeth Cuskelly, Connemara Harriers 29.41