There are ways and means of calculating the success or, indeed the failure of an event without doing a head-count. The science may be simple – but it works.
“Numbers were well up on last year and we know that because we ran out of medals and we were short by a good handful,” said a spokesman for the Humphrey Murphy Memorial 5K Road Race / Fun Run.
The event was held in a heavy drizzle as the runners, joggers and walkers left Limerick Road after getting their marching orders from the late Humphrey’s father, Leo Murphy from Boherbue.
An Ríocht athlete, Seán O’Sullivan won the event in a scorching time from Simon Mangan and Robert Purcell. Siobhán Daly, Gneeveguilla AC won the women’s race from Caroline Murphy and Janette Ryan-Rahilly.
The event was organised by the Castleisland Races Committee in association with Run Castleisland.
There doesn’t appear to be a list of winners and times available at the time of going to press. I have made efforts to contact Run Castleisland for a list on foot of enquiries but without success so far.
In response to those enquiries: If I can get hold of such a list I’ll be glad to publish it or link it here as we do with all the An Riocht AC organised 5K events.
In the heel of the hunt, the organisers are pleased the event again paid fitting tribute to the late Humphrey Murphy with athletes and walkers travelling from far and near to be here.
Richard Gallagher, a former Irish Press colleague of Con Houlihan’s and long-time Knockatee resident, was down from Kilkenny for the John Lenihan book launch in Tralee.
He stopped off on Limerick Road to contribute to the Glebe Lodge Charity and to take in the circuit. In doing so he may well have started a fashion in jogging / running / walking gear as he lined up in a very breathable grandfather shirt. Look out for copy-cats – they’re everywhere.
The organisers wish to thank all those who took part in the event and there will be a recorded cheque presentation later and we’ll bring you details of that when it happens.
The late Humphrey Murphy was a North Cork native of Boherbue and adopted Castleisland as his home after he married Catherine Brosnan. An inveterate fund-raiser who was described by one charity manager as ‘Self motivated and a pleasure to deal with.’ Humphrey is fondly remembered by many local women who took up running at An Riocht at his prompting. A painter and decorator by trade, he died tragically in a workplace accident in May 2011.
