Smyth and Bailey prove Bravehearts in shadow of Trim Castle

Huge turnout once again at Trim AC event

The scenic Porchfields in Trim was the scene of the latest edition of the Braveheart 5km earlier this month organised by Trim Athletic Club. The recent unsettled weather eased off on Friday morning allowing the host club a weather window to set the course up for the largest number of participants in recent years.

DJ Martin Ennis warmed up the runners with tunes and main sponsors Bellinter House Hotel and Spa added novelty to the setting with a fine vintage bus adorning the registration area.

Two races for primary school children were run off before the main event over 500 metres and 1km. These races attracted children from many local schools accompanied by many excitable parents lining the uphill finish in the shadow of the 12th century Yellow Steeple.

At 8pm Trim club man Liam Foley did the honours of starting this years event. He did not run this year as he was heading to Sofia Bulgaria the following morning for the World Down Syndrome games where he went on to win gold in both the 800m and 1500m.He got a rousing send off at the start line to send him on his way.

Well over 500 runners headed uphill in the first 300 meters towards the ancient town wall of Trim and a spectacularly lit skyline silhouette the 40 metre high former bell tower of the Augustinian Friary. As the runners went through the first kilometre of the race Eoin Smyth and Aaron Getty had established a clear lead. They increased their advantage over the mid section of the race back along the banks of the Boyne.

As the race proceeded Eoin Smyth, a member of Tara AC who trained many evenings in his youth taking on the Hill of Tara, poured on the pace and ran a very strong time of 15.25 on what is considered a very challenging course. Getty from St Brigid's was a clear second and Aiden Bailey from Na Fianna was third.

The women's race was won for the third year in a row by Louise Bailey of Na Fianna. Local Trim runner Eimear McGowan is having a fine run of form lately and she claimed runner up spot with Rachel McCormack of Drogheda in third place.

The Larry Daly Cup commemorating one of Trim AC's founders was presented to the first Meath affiliated male runner Eoin Smyth and the Daly Cup was taken home for a third year by Louise Bailey.

In the masters categories the results sheet was like a who's who of local distance running with Sean Murphy, Aoife Parella, Olive McLoughlin, Ann Marie Delaney and cousins Sean Bailey (Dunboyne AC) and Pat Corcoran {Trim AC) among the winners.

Trim AC would like to thank all the runners who supported the race, Meath Civil Defence, Meath Co Co, OPW, An Garda Siochana, the main sponsor Bellinter House Hotel and Spa and other sponsors and supporters Nallys Supervalu, BSG Design, Rowan Engineering Consultants, Cosgrove Electrical, Bounty Bar Guesthouse, PTSB, Navan Hyundai,Navan Nissan, Cusack Hotels, McEntee Performance Physio, Kiltale Holiday Homes, Love Irish Tours, Gavin Yore, Adrian Dunne Pharmacy, McNamara Feeds, Athboy Family Practice, PC Office, Credit Union Trim, Aura Leisure.

RESULTS

Female: Overall - 1, Louise Bailey (Na Fianna) 19.03; 2, Eimear McGowan (Trim ) 19.38; 3, Rachel McCormack (Drogheda & District: F40 - 1, Deirdre Cronolly (Dunshaughlin); 2, Marie Healy Cole; F45 - 1, Aoife Parella(Star of the Sea); 2, Diane Duffy (Riverstick AC); F50 - 1, Olive McLoughlin (Trim AC); 2, Caroline Crowe (Clones AC); F55 - 1, Carmel Thorpe (Fr Murphy AC); 2, Sarah Marie Hamilton (Dunboyne AC); F60 - 1, Ann Marie Delaney (Na Fianna: 2, Mary Watters (Dunboyne AC); F65 - 1, Margaret Crehan; 2, Linda Gunning (Bohermeen AC); F70 - 1, Rose Healy (Fr Murphy AC).

Male: Overall - 1, Eoin Smyth (Tara AC) 15.25; 2, Aaron Getty (St Brigid's AC) 16.13; 3, Aiden Bailey (Na Fianna) 17.08; M40 - 1, Ian Mulreid; 2, Paul Caldwell; M45 - 1, Tom Conlon (Trim AC); 2, Andrew McCormack (Coralstown AC); M50 - 1, Sean Murphy (Trim AC); 2, Shane Larkin DDAC); M55 - 1, Ken Finnegan; 2, Declan Butler (Dunshaughlin AC); M60 - 1, Sean Bailey (Dunboyne AC); 2, David O'Connell (Bohermeen AC); M65 - 1, Pat Corcoran (Trim AC); 2, Benny Byrne (Dunshaughlin AC); M70 - 1, Michael Smith (Laragh AC); 2, Seamus O'Byrne.