Ashling Murphy memorial race launched as countdown begins
Offaly Athletics recently launched the 2023 Ashling Murphy 4 Mile Road Race. Ashling’s parents, Ray and Kathleen, and her sister, Amy, joined John Cronin, President of Athletics Ireland, for the launch.
In addition, there were representatives from the athletic clubs in Offaly, along with Councillors Tony McCormack and Peter Ormond and Jean Ryan from Offaly County Council.
This year, the Ashling Murphy 4 Mile Race will be held on Sunday, May 21. Following on from the success of last year’s inaugural event - which sold out with over 800 finishers and over 2000 spectators enjoying the carnival atmosphere in the centre of Tullamore – this year’s event looks like it will be even bigger.
Starting at the earlier time of 10am, with walkers lining out at 9.45am, the course is run on a very fast loop, starting and finishing on the main thoroughfare of Tullamore, just outside O’Connor Square. With the downhill finish, it ensures a fast run.
Ballyboy Comhaltas will, like last year, provide music at every mile mark and play onstage after the race.
At the event last year, it was a wonderful yet poignant sight to see Ashling’s dad, Ray on his motor bike, leading the 800 participants from the start line. The other members of Camcor Cycles assisted hugely in marshalling along the race route.
The four-miler is the first race of the Offaly Athletics Endurance series and for the first time it is also part of the prestigious Peugeot Race Series. It serves as the Offaly Novice, Senior, and Master 4 Mile Championships.
The other races in the Offaly Endurance Series are as follows - the Jack Cox 10K (Kilcormac Killoughey AC), the Frank Kilrane 10 Mile, (Edenderry AC 10 Mile), and the Bord na Mona Tullamore Harriers Half Marathon.
The other races in the Peugeot series are the Streets of Portlaoise 5k, Streets of Kilkenny 5k, Bob Heffernan/Mary Hanley 5k, Dunshaughlin 10k, Roscommon 10 Mile, Edenderry 10 Mile and the Cork City 10 Mile.
Ashling’s parents, Ray and Kathleen, will present the first female finisher with the Ashling Murphy Perpetual Trophy. There will be prizes for the first, second, and third male and female finishers, as well as the first O40, O45, O50, O60, and O70 male and female finishers. Offaly Athletics thanks everyone involved in organising and planning this event. People can register on https://eventmaster.ie/.
Banagher AC 5k
Round 2 of the Buildmore Offaly 5K Series certainly ticked all the boxes last Sunday week —perfect weather, great course, high quality field of athletes, wonderful atmosphere and everything was organised to perfection. Well done Banagher AC on putting on a top class event.
Not only was the course really good from a spectator perspective, with plenty of opportunities to catch sight of the 301 athletes meandering the streets of Banagher, but it was a fast course too, with lots of personal best times posted.
First place finisher was Luke Purcell of Nenagh Olympic AC in 14.45, followed by Nenagh Olympic clubmate Daniel Ryan Ellis in 14.48, and Ray Hynes of Donore Harriers AC in 15.07.
The first lady home was Tullamore native Danielle Donegan of UCD AC in 16.47. Second was Heather Murphy of St Michael’s AC in 16.51 and third was Edenderry AC’s Caroline Donnellan 17.47.
Offaly Athletics thanks Ger McIntyre of Buildmore for the company’s generous support for the Road Race Series.
Banagher 5k - age group winners
1st Junior - Cian Hodgins (Nenagh Olympic AC), and Faye McEvoy (Ballyroan Abbeyleix AC).
1st O40 - Stephen Hunter (St Abban’s AC) and Evelyn Herlihy (Tullamore Harriers AC).
1st O45 - Michael O’Brien (Tullamore Harriers) and Denise Egan (Ferbane AC).
1st O50 - Brendan Donagher (Naomh Mhuire AC) and Carmel Murray (Birr AC).
1st O60 - Finian McDermott and Martina Conlon (both Tullamore Harriers).
1st O70 - John Bennett (Ferbane AC).
Fixtures
April 10: Leinster 10 Mile, Raheny.
April 16: Clara AC 5k (Offaly Road Races Series).
April 23: Offaly Juvenile Track & Field, Tullamore Harriers Stadium.
April 29: Leinster Novice & Masters Road Championships, Gowran, Co. Kilkenny.
May 7: Ferbane AC 5k.
May 11: Offaly Senior Track & Field, Tullamore Harriers.
May 12: Four Counties Track & Field, Tullamore Harriers.