Harris and Diamond Shine at Wicklow Championships as Kilcoole Secure Club Competition Title

The Athletics Wicklow County 5km Road Race Championships attracted over 200 of the Garden County’s leading distance runners to Rathdrum on Wednesday evening as athletes from clubs across Wicklow battled it out for county honours. Starting and finishing at Avondale Forest Park, the course looped around the locally known Fish Pond before returning before returning to Avondale, with the finish line situated beneath the iconic stone archway. Combining fast stretches with several testing climbs, the route ensured county honours would be hard earned.

Predicting the outcome of the County Road Race Championships is never straightforward. Every year a blend of established performers, emerging juvenile talent and experienced veterans ensured strong and competitive fields in both the men's and women's races.

Fresh from a successful season in Tennessee, where he is studying on an athletics scholarship, Noah Harris (Parnell AC) lived up to his billing as pre-race favourite by producing a dominant display to claim the men's title. Harris quickly took control of the race and pulled clear of the field to win in 14:51. While some distance from his season's best of 14:07, it was a great performance on a demanding course and enough to comfortably secure the county crown. His clubmate Alan Duffy continued his strong run of form to take silver in 15:56, while Reuben Whelan secured bronze in 16:11.

The women's race was expected to be one of the closest contests of the evening, with Sarah Diamond of Kilcoole AC, Eleanor Foot of Bray Runners, Naomi Wall of Lakeshore Striders and Lara Buck all is good form. The race proved every bit as competitive as anticipated. Sarah Diamond (Kilcoole AC) and Eleanor Foot (Bray Runners) were locked together for much of the race before Diamond edged clear in the closing stages to claim the county title in 17:40. Foot finished just two seconds behind in 17:42, while Naomi Wall completed the podium with a strong run of 18:01.

The real magic amongst the County Road Race Championship is the rivalry and competition amongst the category race too all contributing to the overall club competition trophy which Kilcoole AC came out on top. . Wins in the female categories include; Lara Buck(FJ) – 18:33, Anna May Woods(F35) – 18:40, Niamh Brophy(F40)- 18:42, Catherine O’Connor(F45) – 18:36, Lucy O’Malley(F50)- 19:50, Ciara Carter (F55)- 23:51, Debbie Griffin (F60)- 21:56 and  Orla Philip(F70)- 27:50. The men’s category winners include; Noah Harris(MJ) – 14:51, Alan Duffy(M35) – 15:56, P{aul McKenna (M40) – 16:55, Brian Fitzsimons(M45) – 17:45, Robert Murphy(M50)- 17:25, Brian Gurrin (M55) – 16:56, Gorgan McWilliams(M60)- 19:18, Mick Byrne (M65) 18:38, Michael Knight (M70) – 21:59 and William Belton (M75) – 25:08.

The large turnout and high standard of competition once again highlighted the strength and depth of road running within Wicklow.  On behalf of the Athletics Wicklow County board, chairman Bill Porter took the opportunity to thank all the members for their help in organising the evening, from the stewards and officials who volunteered, Ronan in myrunresults who executed the event in a professional manner, Rathdrum Order of Malta for providing first aid and to all the talented athletes that competed on the evening.

Full Results on myrunresults.com

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