Huge entry at dunshaughlin event
The 36th Michael Manning Memorial 10km road race was a huge success in Dunshaughlin this evening with close to 1,000 participants according to unofficial figures at the start of the popular event at 7.30pm. (see video clip of the start).
The race is the oldest 10km road race in the country and was first run on 8thSeptember 1979 in memory of a founding club member when Kiltale Olympian Des McGann and Irish International Carol Meagan led home the 35 men and four ladies who took part.
Dessie McGann was a member of the Irish team at the Munich Olympics in 1972 and he was an interested spectator at the race this evening. He also won the Dunshaughlin race again in 1980 and in 1981 – at that time it was a five and a half mile contest.
The present course records of 29.21 for men was set by Noel Cullen in 2000 and it survived by all one second (see results other story) but Lizzie Lee beat her 34.08 effort in 2013.
The race HQ was at the Community Centre and the post race party was in the Arch Bar.
All the finishing times will be published in this week's Meath Chroncile - make sure you get your copy on Tuesday evening.