Gerry Ryan was an impressive winner of the Half Marathon Championship in a highly creditable 64.05 with Gary Crossan second and Michael O’Connor third. Orla O’Mahoney won the womens race in 75.43 ahead of Lucy Darcy with Jackie Carthy of Kilmore third. In dull and humid conditions a leading bunch of some ten athletes were still together at two miles. “ I thought we were going too slow” was how Gerry Ryan described the pace. Once he moved away there really was no doubt about who would win the race. Passing 10k in 31.23 he had some 50 seconds to spare on his pursuers. Ten miles was passed in 49.04 and the gap was continuing to grow. Gary Crossan had moved into second and Galway City’s Michael O’Connor was also another athlete who had a good second half of the race. Gerry Ryan had 1m47s to spare on the strong running Gary Crossan at the finish. Michael O’Connor one of the country’s most improved runners finished third ahead of Pauric McKinney with Paul McNamara, who has marathon ambitions for later in the year, holding down 5th. Sandis Bralitis continued his good road season in 6th spot. Gary Thornton’s 16th. position in 70.17 combined with Ryan and O’Connor to win the team title on composite times for Galway City Harriers. Crossan, McKinney and Ciaran Doherty won silver medals for Letterkenny with host club Tinryland lead home by Pat Byrne in 8th finshing third. Orla O’Mahoney won the womens title in an impressive 75.43. The 27 year old Ennis Schoolteacher spent the last two years in the USA doing a masters and has now returned and taken up a teaching position in Synge Street better known to Dubliners as “Synger”. “I was hoping to beat 80 minutes so I am very pleased. I enjoyed my sojourn in the States and I am much fitter than before and I am looking forward to the cross country season” was her post race reaction. Lucy Darcy ”it was the first time I raced a half marathon” was also pleased with her second place and Kilmores Jackie Carthy had a good run in third place. Civil Service won the womens team event, Sligo the masters mens with the womens masters going to RathfarnhamWSAF