What a way to celebrate the fifth year of the annual Warrenpoint 10k/5k on the Bay, which was held on Sunday morning 21 May 2017. This year’s event saw a record number of 221 runners turned up to register for the 5/10K runs in what can be described as one of the most scenic running routes around and all runners were lucky enough to run in pleasant weather conditions.
Dermot Mathers (33:43) put in a strong performance to win the Men’s 10km Run for the fourth year with Ciaran Savage (35:31) and Rory Sullivan (36:01) following him home in second and third place respectively. Sarah McAlinden (41:44) was the winner of the Ladies 10km Race, with Clare Reilly (45:00) in second place and Tracey McArdle (48:00) taking third place. In the fastest times to date, Brendan Heaney (17:57) won the 5K race and was followed home by Richard Murphy (18:23) and Ronan McVeigh (18:24) in second and third place respectively. First of the club runners home was Ross McGarry (19:09) running the 5K and underage footballer Michael Fairgrieves (23:07), Mike Barnett romped home for the club in the 10K with a time of (42:15) followed closely by Gareth McClorey (43:44). Niall McGovern was the first senior footballer across the line in a time of 44:31 and minor footballer Ryan Haughey (46:39) was close behind. For the ladies, Claire McNeill (25:11) and Rachel Gribben (25:59) were first club runners home in the 5K.
There was much excitement about the inaugural 10K Charity Walk and 3K family walk which saw over 100 people and 60 families participate across both. Thanks to the young Walsh family who were up and about early putting up balloons and bunting in Clonallon and Warrenpoint park for the 3K family walk and sincere thanks to Meabh and Roisin McCardle for serving healthy refreshments in Clonallon and the Ceoltas musicians, Aoibheann, Lucia, Tiernan and Aoife for the lovely music at the bandstand. While the families took to the scenic town walk, the more adventurous walkers, under the guidance of Martin Slevin took to the 10K route, 45 minutes before the runners took off they left from the promenade and followed the well stewarded walk making it back along with the 10K runners. The charity walk raised £900 for KBRT and Newry Hospice, many thanks to Katrina and martin for organising.
This was a great outing for regular runners and beginner runners as well as accommodating the many families who turned out to cheer the runners on and to participate in the walk, the town came to a standstill and hundreds lined the streets to cheer on the runners and followed them to the packed finish line.
Following the race Chairman Eugene Gallagher congratulated the winners and paid a special tribute to the organising committee of Micheal Moore, Declan Ryan and Fergus Bradley and the many club volunteers who assisted with the event. Congratulations to all the participants. A full list of results are available on the club website www.warrenpointgaa.com and social media pages.
