This year's Galtee Runners GR8km race in Mitchelstown saw the number of participants rise by 15% on last year's entry, as 280 people took to running the 8km race around the town's edge.

This year was the fourth year of the flagship event for the Mitchelstown running club and Tony Fogarty of Thurles Crokes AC was the first man to cross the finish line, while the first lady home was Angela McCann of Clonmel AC. The first local runner home was the club's own Johnny O'Sullivan, who finished sixth overall.

As the runners came in thick and fast, MC Maurice Walsh made the announcements and kept the runners and supporters in good spirits, before they went to St Fanahan's College for the prizegiving ceremony and some welcome refreshments.

LOCAL SUPPORT FANTASTIC

The club would like to thank everyone who helped out in any way, particularly Ellen (Lewis) Hanley who baked a lovely GR8km cake for the winners to cut, anyone who sponsored prizes, the Gardai who led the race, the marshalls, stewards, The Avondhu and Carole Bradley and Christopher and Padraig Dolan, who took photos for the Facebook page. 

They also thanked John Walsh of Ballycotton Running Promotions who did the timing and registration and all the members who helped to organise all of the finer details. Congratulations were also extended to Donal O'Regan and Pamela O'Sullivan, who got engaged recently.

"Without a shadow of a doubt the biggest thank you has to go to the people of Mitchelstown and everyone who showed their support for the race. In all the feedback we are getting, the same compliment keeps coming up - “The support along the route was amazing”.

"This shows this town has great community spirit and this support is going to be the driving factor in making this race an even bigger success next year. People of Mitchelstown take a bow, you did your town proud. Here's looking forward to next year's race and making it even bigger and better," a club spokesperson said.

If anyone is interested in coming along on club night, these are held on Tuesdays and Fridays, meeting at Brigown cemetery gates and all are welcome.

For more information, find the club on Facebook, e-mail galteerunners30@gmail.com or contact Mick on 086 8342987, Richard on 086 8743549 or Lisa on 087 7943967.

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