Driving rain and howling winds did not deter 79 hardy competitors – second largest ever field in the three year history of the Series - from lining up for the first Bob Mullan 5K of the year.
On a rare visit home Dublin-based Colin Roberts notched up his inaugural Series victory and his first win of the year in 15 minutes 59 seconds; six seconds outside Allan Bogle’s course record. But the City of Derry runner was made to fight all the way to the tape by Donal Gallagher who was showing his best form for a couple of years.
The pair were locked together from the gun and came through the halfway point with the giant Roberts running shoulder to shoulder with the diminutive former St. Columb’s College teacher. Roberts gained an advantage on the final hill but a sterling effort on the home-straight saw Gallagher close to within two seconds at the tape.
Gregory Roberts who had gone into the race confident after a victory in the Grand National Gallop 5K was a further six seconds back in third.
Conal McBride (16:21) had a good run for fourth while Declan McCarthy (16:43) collected the prize for first master across in line in fifth place. Seamus Kealey (16:50) completed the top half dozen.
Colin Roberts and Donal Gallagher at the halfway.
If the
men’s race was close the same could not be said of the women’s contest. Olivia
McCullagh took charge from the gun and apart from the elements had the most
comfortable of wins in 19 minutes 16 seconds. Female master Catherine Moran
(20:13) caused an upset in taking second ahead of the more fancied Sheelagh
Bodkin (20:15).
For many the real stars of the night were the sixty-somethings with Limavady man James Reid (19:33) led home Christy McMonagle (19:41) and Noel Crumley (21:38).
The Series now moves to the Brandywell for the second fixture on May 12.
Olivia McCullagh in charge.