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 Elverys Sports Galway Bay Half Marathon & 10K - 2,000 Smiles in Salthill Over 2,000 people crossed the finish line at the famous Claddagh on Galway Bay last Saturday having taken part in the Elverys Sports Galway Bay Half Marathon and 10K. Many of the euphoric finishers had a new 'Personal Best' time to their credit as the weather conditions and flat course were just perfect for both the 10k and half marathon challenge. The winner of the Mens event in the Half Marathon was Michael Shannon from Kilnaboy, Clare in a time of 1:09:48, with the leading woman, Pauline Curley, coming in at 1:19:11. The 10K winners were Brian O'Connor from Galway City Harriers AC in a time of 0:34:55. The big prize of the day was the €2,000 team prize fund for the fastest teams home. The Men's Team was won by Galway City Harriers and the Women from Sports World AC brought their €1,000 back to Dublin. Ray O'Connor, the Race Director commented, 'Everything worked perfectly to plan and the Road Closure made the event so much more enjoyable for the participants and allowed us to facilitate larger numbers. The Gardaí and the City Council worked with us all the way and we now have a the confidence in our Event Management plan to open the event up to larger numbers next year.' The event sponsors, Elverys Sports, the nationwide sports and leisure clothing store who have their roots firmly planted in the west of Ireland, were delighted with the event. 'We had a team of 146 Elverys Sports staff running to raise funds for charity so the whole company got behind the event. We are particularly proud of Sandra Finnerty, one of our team, who started her race at 6.00am to complete 50 miles,' commented Loman Caulfield, Director of Elverys Sports. The main Charity behind the event, Cancer Care West were out in force to cheer the participants to the line. Sharon Fitzpatrick, Fundraising Manager explains 'Cancer Care West provides essential cancer support services for cancer patients and their families from all over the West of Ireland and we are hugely dependent on people's generosity to raise the much needed funds to keep our excellent facilities going. Over the past 9 years, the Galway Bay 10 and Half Marathon has raised €1.8 million for Cancer Care West which has made it possible for us to open and expand our cancer support services in the West of Ireland. On behalf of Cancer Care West I would like to thank all those runners, walkers and their families who undertook fundraising in the build up to this event. I would also like to thank Ray O'Connor for taking on the mantle and ensuring that this wonderful event continues to expand - The Galway Bay races are good for Galway and essential for Cancer Care West'. |
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