Record-breaking night at annual Tara AC Road Race

Some 504 runners in total took part in the Tara AC 5k and Children’s 3k Race in an evening of sunshine, smiles, sweat, and a whole lot of heart, on Friday 29th August.

In the opening Children’s 3k, 209 young athletes toed the line, and from the moment Liam Kelleher pressed the air horn, it was pure magic.

The course may be short, but anyone who’s ever taken on “that hill” at Fox’s Pub knows it’s no walk in the park. Yet every single one of them dug deep, powering up Skryne Hill with grit that would make even seasoned marathoners blush.

At the sharp end, the Glennon brothers from Mullingar Harriers, Daniel and Gareth, came storming home shoulder to shoulder in 10:23, proving sibling rivalry is alive and well. Just behind, Dunshaughlin’s Matthew McGann took third in 10:53. On the girls’ side, Tara AC’s Stephanie Clarke lit up the finish straight, crossing in 10:55, followed closely by Emily Fagan of Dunshaughlin AC 11:17 and Annabelle McDonagh of Annalee AC, also clocking 11:17.

An entry of 295 runners took to the line in the 5k, with Tara AC’s Eoin Smyth smashing the course record, storming home in a blistering 14:46. Hot on his heels was Clonliffe Harriers’ Sean Doran in 16:19, with another Tara AC powerhouse, Jake Cullen, claiming third in 16:22.

The women’s race was no less thrilling. Louise Bailey of Na Fianna AC claimed the crown in 18:56, with Dunboyne’s Jane Vandila just three seconds behind in 18:59. Third across the line was Tara AC’s Leona O’Reilly in 19:11. Team honours went to Tara AC for the men and Dunshaughlin AC for the women.

From the youngest child powering through their first 3k to the course-record-breakers at the front of the 5k, every single runner made the night what it was. To the volunteers, marshals, supporters, and every voice that shouted encouragement along the way, Tara AC says 'thank you'.

Lead sponsor Gibbons Recruitment and all of the t-shirt and KM marker sponsors who contributed to make this event a true success.