Bohermeen half marathon attracts huge numbers of competitors and spectators

Almost 1,000 athletes took part in the Meath Spring Half-Marathon and 5km at Bohermeen on Sunday with participants travelling to the venue from all over Ireland as well as London. Supported by Generali Pan Europe, the event was a huge success with runners from 26 counties taking part in perfect conditions. The half-marathon was won by Gary O'Hanlon (Amphibian King) in 70 minutes 51 seconds with Peter Mooney (Clonard) second in 73 minutes 44 seconds and Paul O'Connell (Sportsworld) third in 74 minutes 12 minutes. The women's race was won by former Olympian Pauline Curley from Tullamore who won in 78 minutes 58 seconds with Dunboyne AC's Emila Dan securing second place with a highly impressive showing of 87 minutes 51 seconds while Eimear McGovern (Innyvale) was third in 89 minutes 06 seconds. Bohermeen AC's Sonya Reilly also put in an excellent run to take fourth place in 89 minutes 20 seconds. The Bohermeen women's selection also took the team award. There was a strong note of nostalgia at the start of what was the first half-marathon in Bohermeen in 25 years with Andy 'Sonny' Bennett filling in as the official starter. Bennett was a stalwart of Bohermeen AC and the Meath NACAI Athletic Board in the 1970s as a secretary and he made a big contribution to the sport in the Royal County. A presentation was also made to Bohermeen AC team who won the first Meath half marathon in 1973. The team consisted of Colm Rennicks, Vincent Rennicks and Bennett. The event also doubled as a Meath championship and the men's winner was Sean Murphy (Trim) in 78 minutes eight seconds from Paddy Mangan (Dunshaughlin) and David O'Connell (Bohermeen), both in 78 minutes 56 seconds. First home in the women's race for the Meath championship was Dan with Sonya Reilly (Bohermeen) second in 89 minutes 20 seconds and Imelda Clarke (Na Fianna) who finished in the bronze medal position. Bohermeen AC official Stephen Ball thanked all those who helped to make the event a great success, the sponsors and all the officials, helpers as as well the Civil Defence. South O'Hanlon runners competed in the Bohermeen event with the following times achieved: Anthony Callan, 1.28:31; Willie Toomes, 1.32:42; Adrian Moran, 1.34:46; Robert Finnegan, 1.40:45; Matt Moran, 1.41:55.