Kerry...Results of the Feet First 5 km road race - Sat 7th Nov 2009

It looks as conditions were a bit on the damp side for this, the 2nd race of 4 in the 5 km series in Killarney, Co.Kerry.

Race Report by John Dunphy....

The 2nd race in the Feet First 5k road race series took place last Saturday in awful weather conditions. The majority of runners had made their way to the start line a good 10 to 15 minutes before the 11am start to be greeted with a massive downpour of rain which sent runner's flying for cover under trees at the side of the road. When we were called to the start line, we were all soaked to the skin while we had to wait for the race to begin which in fairness to the organiser's got off at 11am. First to go was Jerry Forde of Blarney AC and very soon afterwards the 200 or so runners were off. The organiser's had to change the course for this race due the original course being flooded which meant we would not see the very flat and fast course that a few of us managed some Pb's on last time out but what can you do! The new course was a nice course in my opinion and not long after the start, we took a left turn off the main road to head into the National park. The running to the first 1k was very flat and fast. Soon after the 1km mark, we took a sharp right out into the wide open park and it was here running along to the 2k mark is where we all took a battering from the wind and driving rain. It was extremley hard running against that type of weather but soon we were to head in the opposite direction which gave us a bit of relief with the wind and rain to our backs. But this was going to prove our toughest test with a long pull to the 3k mark. Soon after this, we were running downhill and what was going to prove the fatest 2k of the race. With a small pull to the finish line, I'm sure all were glad to see the end after that type of weather.

Arthur Fitzgerald (Faranfore-Maine Valley AC) took the mens race with Maureen Harrington (An Riocht AC) winning the ladies race. One again quiet a few of the Cork runners took apart which is great to see well done to all on the day..........John Dunphy, Eagle AC.

Photos........there is a gallery of 80 photos HERE. Note that some of the shots are a bit on the 'blurry' side.........possibly due to the poor light conditions......or was it because the runners were moving so fast? ;o)

Results.......from what I understand, there was a problem with some recording equipment due to the rain. So it would seem as if there will be no results for this one.