Treacy bounces back to form
Sara Treacy bounced back to form with a pulsating sprint finish over 3km at the Armagh International Road Race last night in 9:18.20.
The Dunboyne athlete had a couple of disappointing races after returning from altitude training in Albuquerque but returned to form to hold off Scottish athletes Sarah Inglis in 9:19.01 and Laura Whittle third in 9:19.24. Other leading Irish finishers included Ann Marie McGlynn (Letterkenny) sixth in 9:23.54, Kerry O’Flaherty (Newcastle) eighth in 9:24.59, who also competed over 1500m at the Athlone international the previous night, Deirdre Byrne (Sli Cualann) 16th in 9:38.68 and Mary Ann O’Sullivan (St Abban’s) 25th in 9:55.55. 28 women broke the 10 minute barrier.
Treacy is as yet undecided about competing at the GloHealth National Indoor Championships in Athlone next week and has tentatively planned an altitude training camp in Font Romeu in April as she builds up her preparation for the 3,000m steeplechase at the Olympics in Rio.
67 men go sub 15
The men’s 5km race saw a sea of runners break the 15 minute barrier. 67 men in total broke 15 minutes on the course that consisted of a 1km circuit around the mall in Armagh. The rectangle loop starts on the flat like a 1500m start with the four left turns being navigated like the proverbial cavalry charge. The home straight is decline and while it is a fast course, it is challenging and pushed the runners to their limits.
Charlie Hulson (Sale Harriers) won a classuc in 14:02.83 ahead of Belgian Yannick Michiels second in 14:02.99 and Andy Maud (Highgate Harriers) who was third in 14:03.17.
Kevin Mulcaire (Ennis Track Club) was the first Irish finisher in 15th in 14:14.02 with his club mate and training partner, Rory Chesser, next home in 20th in 14:23.95 with Thomas Fitzpatrick (Tallaght) 29th in 14:31.66 and Rathfarnham’s Sean Hehir 37th in 14:35.24.