Glenmore 10 Mile Challenge

Bringing it all back home

On Saturday, June 14^th, 137 athletes and over 70 joggers/walkers participated in the Glenmore 10 mile challenge and 5km in the Glenmore heartland.  It was here, in 1969, that Glenmore AC was founded and therefore, very fitting that the club would bring its inaugural 10 mile challenge back to its roots.  The excitement was palpable as Maria Duffy took the athletes through their warm-up before the race was started by International athlete Linda Byrne, whose grandmother hails from Benagh.  The race was aptly named the Glenmore challenge as challenging it was, sending athletes running up and down the relentless hills of Ballygoley and Aghameen, to mention but a few of the townlands.  Heroes all, they passed not only mile markers but motivational signs & placename posters crafted with the help of Mullaghbuoy NS, Ardaghy NS and Rampark NS school children. Under the shadow of Sliabh Foye, runners passed the famous Long Woman’s Grave before running down into Glenmore and the home stretch of this gruelling race.  Meanwhile, the walkers enjoyed the 5km.  Adults and children alike took off in their droves and in high spirits down the country road and up onto the mountain trail.  What a wonderful sight to behold.  Back at base, there was a carnival atmosphere as each and every runner and walker received a roaring reception from an appreciative crowd waiting at the finish line. The Booze Brothers created a wonderful buzz with a great musical set.  Athletes raved about the efforts put in by the local mammies to provide a feast of delicious home-baking and of course a welcome cup of tea, served with a smile.  Outside in the sunshine, the children were entertained with a bouncy castle, provided complimentary of ‘Bounce About’ and the Farnon family.

Gary O’ Hanlon made it home 1^st in the 10-mile race with local man Shane Toner coming 2^nd and Aidan Cunningham 3^rd. Lucy D of Precision Timing was the first lady home with Kano Akimoto, North East Runners, 2^nd and Linda Meehan 3^rd. All received beautiful, hand-crafted, timber challenge medals. The icing on the cake was reserved for the team prizes with Glenmore men Shane Toner, Patrick O’Reilly, Tony Mulligan and Ciaran Walsh coming home in first team position; the Glenmore ladies rose to the challenge and also bagged the first team prize with Karen May, Ali McEnhill, Gabrielle Hanlon & Kinga Byrne. Men’s 2^nd team went to North East Runners Ciaran Gorman, Nicky McGuinness, Gerry O’Connell & Jose Carvalho whilst North East Runners also took the ladies 2^nd team prize with Kana Akimoto, Sarah Traynor, Edel Celland & Cecilia Flynn.

Tribute has to be paid to all our senior athletes who participated, as up to 2 years ago, there were very few Glenmore shirts in senior races.  Saturday saw a 27-strong team running in the 10 mile:

Shane Toner, Patrick O’Reilly, Tony Mulligan, Ciaran Walsh, Patrick White, Paul Savage, Kevin Buffet, John Kane, Kenneth McBride, Tony Elmore, Paul Gallagher, Pat Ferguson, Stephen O’Connor, Karen May, John Doyle, Gerry Stewart, Ali McEnhill, Gabrielle Hanlon, Gavin White, Kinga Byrne, Paddy Gill, Jude Quinn, Rose White, Joan Farnon, Anne McEvoy, Lorraine McCann, Laura Hoey,

Three generations of Hoeys participated in the event with grandad Geoffrey, son David, daughter-in-law Laura and children Aoife and Sarah.  Likewise, the Cheshire family from Dundalk had Big Mary & Wee Mary walking, whilst daughter Kathleen and grandson Adam did the 10 mile. O’ Reilly’s, Ferguson’s, Barry’s, McCann’s, McBride’s & O’ Hanlon’s, all of Glenmore origin and its environs were out in force as were several couples, one of whom, completed the challenge hand in hand.  It was wonderful as always to see Glenmore AC founder member, the ever-smiling, Danny Ferguson on duty stewarding at the event.  Well done to all who took part, locals and those who travelled, we salute you!

Thanks to our main sponsors Carton Die who did a fantastic job of the medal inscriptions making them particularly special.  The timber for the medals was supplied by Breen Timber Logging and each piece was cut with care by Glenmore AC clubman and coach, Kenneth McBride.  A race of this scale could not have been taken on without the help of Glenmore AC club members who, as ever, pulled together to make this such a success.  A big thank-you also goes to The Red Cross who followed the pack throughout the race.  The event served as a fundraiser for The Maria Goretti Respite Centre in Lordship.

 

Glenmore AC would like to thank the following for their generous support for the Glenmore Challenge 10 mile and 5km:

_{Carton Die}

_{Breen Timber Logging}

_{Country Fresh Vegetable & Fruit Shop}

_{Murphys Filling Station}

_{Barrys Shop, Grange}

_{Taafes Pub}

_{Jim Leahy}

_{Brian McSloy}

_{Murnaghan Tyres}

_{Archie Murphy}

_{Mary Clerkin}

_{Carlingford Adventure Centre}

_{Fitzpatricks Restaurant}

_{Riinas Pizzeria}

_{Cooley distillery}

_{Siobhan McGowan}

_{Molly Mays , Carlingford}

_{Mizu Hairdressing}

_{McArdles Boutique}

_{Bay Tree Restaurant}

_{Lily Finnegans Pub}

_{Candyford Sweet shop}

_{Carlingford Arms}

_{Ma Bakers Pub}

_{Bradley’s Chemist}

_{Village pharmacy}

_Memories

_{Castletown Pharmacy}

_{Carlingford barber shop}

_{Mckevitts hotel}

_{Oystercatcher Restaurant}

_{PJ O’Hares}

_{Food for Thought}

_{Niall Clarkes Service Station}

_{Marshes Shopping Centre}

_{Station House Café}

_{Thingy ma jigs, Carlingford}

_{Morgan Nutrition}