Kelly and McKiernan win inaugural 5k road titles

Kelly and McKiernan win inaugural 5k road titles

Kieran Kelly (Raheny Shamrock) and Catherina McKiernan (Annalee) won the inaugural national 5k titles at the Irish Runner 5k in the Phoenix Park last Saturday (May 4).

Kelly breasted the tape in 14:45 to win the men's national road 5k title ahead of Conor Duffy (Glaslough Harriers) in 14:51 and Peter Arthur (Liffey Valley) in14:55. Kenyan Peter Samba running for Dunboyne was first across the line in the Irish Runner 5k was first across the line in 14:36 but wasn't eligible for the title as he isn't a resident. 

The top three men's teams were North Belfast Harriers, Raheny Shamrock and Liffey Valley. 

Catherina McKiernan won the women's race in 17:15 from Mary Mulhare (Portlaoise) in 17:28 and Bronagh Kearns (St Senan’s) in 17:41. McKiernan is now the second oldest person at 49 to win a national senior title behind Eddie Gallen who won a national 24 Hour Ultra at 51 years & 220 days in 2014. 

The top three women's teams were Dunboyne, Raheny Shamrock and DSD.