Bank holiday Mon May 1st saw the streets of Kells host the 2023 Royal County 10k & 5k event. With the sun shining down on another great turn out, runners from all over Meath and further afield took part in this popular event.
This year we were particularly pleased to welcome Minister for Sport, Thomas Byrne, who along with his wife Ann, took part in the 5k and completed it, in very respectable times.
We saw some really fast times, alas no course records this year but special mention to Rose Finnegan from Bohermeen AC who was just 1 second outside the female 5k course record with a time of 18:12. Next year Rose!
A new event this year was the club competition for most club participants. Meath LSP awarded three prizes to Kells AC, Moynalty AC & Tara AC – well done folks and thanks as ever for your support.
ROYAL COUNTY 2023 Podium finishers and category winners:
|
CATEGORY |
|
PLACINGS |
CLUB |
TIMES |
|
Overall – 10k Female |
1 |
Ruta BALCIUNE |
|
45:25 |
|
|
2 |
Frances LYNCH |
Klotr |
45:49 |
|
|
3 |
Jane NUGENT |
Kells A.C. |
46:42 |
|
Overall – 5k Female |
1 |
Rose FINNEGAN |
Bohermeen A.C. |
18:12 |
|
|
2 |
Cailin MCDONAGH |
Trim A.C. |
19:31 |
|
|
3 |
Aoife PARRELLA |
Star of the Sea A.C. |
19:52 |
|
Overall – 10k Male |
1 |
Patrick O’REILLY |
Civil Service A.C. |
36:00 |
|
|
|
Tom FEELEY |
Trim A.C. |
36:00 |
|
|
3 |
Sean BAILEY |
Dunboyne A.C. |
39:41 |
|
Overall – 5k Male |
1 |
Christopher KEENAN |
Drogheda & District A.C. |
15:43 |
|
|
2 |
Paul SMITH |
Drogheda & District A.C. |
16:36 |
|
|
3 |
Joseph RICHARDS |
St. Coca’s A.C. |
17:01 |
|
10k Female Junior |
|
|
|
|
|
F40 |
|
Suzanne FORDE |
Fr. Murphy A.C. |
47:18 |
|
F50 |
|
Linda O’BRIEN |
|
47:26 |
|
F60 |
|
Kathleen BRADY |
Navan A.C. |
53:36 |
|
5k Female Junior |
|
Katy HAYES |
St. Coca’s A.C. |
20:00 |
|
F40 |
|
Paula GUINAN |
Oughaval A.C. |
19:57 |
|
F50 |
|
Susan KEOGH |
Tara A.C. |
24:56 |
|
F60 |
|
Helen LEDDY |
Moynalty A.C. |
24:31 |
|
F70 |
|
Rose HEALY |
|
60:00 |
|
10k Male Junior |
|
Adam CANNING |
|
18:30 |
|
F40 |
|
Emmet BANNON |
|
42:59 |
|
F50 |
|
Tom DONNELLY |
Kells A.C. |
40:08 |
|
F60 |
|
Gerry O’CONNELL |
Glenmore A.C. |
40:14 |
|
5k Male Junior |
|
|
|
|
|
F40 |
|
Andrew GILLESPIE |
|
18:08 |
|
F50 |
|
Stephen NAUGHTON |
Mullingar Harriers A.C. |
20:40 |
|
F60 |
|
Michael HAYES |
|
26:10 |
|
F70 |
|
Desmond BROWNLIE |
Lagan Valley AC |
37:16 |
Additional to the participants who took part on the day in Kells were a number of students who completed the 5k:
Also taking part were a number of virtual participants who took to sunnier climates to complete their 5k & 10k events. Congratulations to all.
The organisers – Meath Local Sports Partnership extended their congratulations to all the winners and expressed thanks to Bryan of Club Active Kells for sponsoring each of the runner up and category prizes and offering their facility for showers afterwards.
For some people participating on the day, this event was their very first 5k or 10k to complete. Congratulations to everyone who did so, it`s tough one to start with, but well worth it. If you can mange Kells, you can manage any route!
Many thanks to our young photographer Ciara Finnegan who expertly captured everyone at the start and finish line and David Mullin, who was out along the route.
Meath LSP also expressed their thanks to all who supported the event in particular to Kells AC; Heery family from St Brigid’s AC; Kells Gardai; Civil Defence; Michael McGoldrick Sound; Motorbike Marshals; Meath County Council and local volunteers.
Special acknowledgement to Vincent and Olivia Duff and staff of the Headfort Arms Hotel who kindly opened their facilities for much needed refreshments afterwards free of charge to all the participants.
Photos can be found on our Facebook page @meathlocalsportspartnership