Improved Times and High Spirits in Spite of Rain at An Ríocht Event

The first three home in the women’s 10Miler at An Ríocht AC on Sunday were from left: Maria McCarthy, Farranfore Maine Valley AC. 1st; Marie McKenna, Farranfore Maine Valley AC. 2nd. and Rachel Stokes, Kerry Crusaders, 3rd. ©Photograph: John Reidy

The first three home in the An Ríocht AC 10Miler in Castleisland on Sunday were from left: Tommy O’Brien, An Ríocht AC 1st.; Patrick O’Connor, An Ríocht AC 2nd and George McCarthy, Farranfore Maine Valley AC 3rd. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Delighted with their times after finishing the Couch to 5K part of the annual An Ríocht 5K and 10miler Road Race in Castleisland on Sunday morning were from left: John Cahill, Daniel O’Connor, Joe Reynolds, Larry Hickey, Seamus Murphy and Richard Murphy. ©Photograph: : John Reidy

Jemma O’Shea from Ballymacelligott happy with her time after finishing the 5K part of the annual An Ríocht 5K and 10miler Road Race in Castleisland on Sunday morning. ©Photograph: : John Reidy

Tralee Marathon Club runners: Anna Sheehy (left) pictured with Louise Porter, Nina Mansfield and Helen Nolan after finishing the 5K at the annual An Ríocht 5K and 10miler Road Race in Castleisland on Sunday morning. ©Photograph: : John Reidy

Anna Scanlon, Currow (left) and Clodagh O’Connor, Tralee on medal presentation duties after the annual An Ríocht 5K and 10miler Road Race in Castleisland on Sunday. ©Photograph: : John Reidy

Barbara and Mariusz Podraza with their children Szymon and Martyna after they had completed the 5K at the annual An Ríocht AC 5K and 10Miler Road Race in Castleisland on Sunday. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Almost 400 runners took part in the annual Kingdom Come Run in Castleisland on Sunday last.

There were many local and familiar faces present from the surrounding athletic clubs from every corner of the Kingdom, Cork and Limerick.

The two events which took place on the day were road races over both 5km and 10 mile routes.

Personal Challenges

There was a wide variety of ages and abilities taking part in both events, with primary school children right up to runners over 75 years. Most people were taking on their own personal challenges.

Participants who took part in the 10 mile event were treated to a brand new virtually flat running route through the town and out towards O Riada’s in Ballymacelligott before turning around and returning to Castleisland and a fast finish on the An Riocht athletic track.

Positive Feedback

“We have received extremely positive feedback on our new route and we have heard that a lot of runners have achieved personal best running times in the 10 mile event,” said An Ríocht AC manager, Hazel Byrne.

The 5km route remained the same as in previous years. This took runners through the town of Castleisland where there was a great lively atmosphere with music playing on the town’s new public address system.

Spirits Remained High

Despite the heavy rain, spirits remained high as runners returned to the town and finished their race on the newly re-surfaced athletic track.

Smiles on the faces of all the runners hinted at feelings of achievement and satisfaction when they were presented with a finisher’s medal and souvenir water bottle along with hot food and a well-deserved cup of tea.

Host Club Winner

The 10 mile race was won by Tommy O’Brien, An Ríocht in time of 57.09 and the first female home in this event was Maria McCarthy of Farranfore Maine Valley AC in a season best time of 62.51.

Sean O Sullivan, An Ríocht won the 5k run in a time of 16.19 with Niamh O’Sullivan, An Riocht winning the female race in a time of 19.08.

Runners can now look forward to next year’s Kingdom Come Run which takes place on Sunday 14^th April 2019.

Meanwhile…..

In the meantime, there’s the upcoming 5km series which will take place on Friday evenings on August 31^st. And September 7^th and 14^th.

This series is ideal for anyone looking for a new challenge and is also ideal for tempo runs for the late autumn Dublin City Marathon.

For all the results and times of the day go to: www.sportsplits.com and scroll down to Run Kingdom Come

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