Entry opens for 38th Dunshaughlin 10km

Ray McKenna of Willis Towers Watson and Pearse Fahy of Dunshaughlin AC launch the Dunshaughlin 10km

Entry opens today for the 38th edition of the Dunshaughlin 10km taking place on Saturday June 24 (7.30pm) around the quiet roads of the Meath town.

Over the years, the race has built itself a solid reputation as one of the fastest 10km courses around, with Rio marathon Olympian Lizzie Lee of Leevale breaking her own women’s course record with a personal best time of 33 mins 13 secs as recently as 2015.

The men’s record goes back to 2000 when Clonliffe’s Noel Cullen of ran a time of 29 mins 21 secs.

In a thrilling finish to last year’s race Peter Somba just got to the line first in 29 mins 43 secs; one second behind was Brandon Hargreaves of DSD. Somba, a regular Irish visitor from his native Kenya, was just 22 seconds off the record. Winning the women’s race in 35 mins 40 secs was Laura Shaughnessy of DSD.

Victory in the race along with a course record time could net a cool  €800 – well worth any serious athlete’s consideration. Thanks to sponsors, Willis Towers Watson, cash prizes will go to the top six seniors, top three in O40,45,50,55,60 age groups, top two juniors and top three teams. The course record bonus is sponsored by the Run Hub.

Among the 654 finishers was champion jump jockey Barry Geraghty from nearby Pelletstown who came close to breaking 40 minutes.

The race, which claims to be the oldest 10km in Ireland, was first held in September 1979 and remembers Mick Manning, one of the founding members who was tragically killed in a road accident earlier that year. A total of 39 turned out, with Munich Olympian Des McGann and Carol Meagan of Dundrum the winners.

For the also-rans, the Dunshaughlin 10km offers a great night out, with legendary “refreshments” after everyone has come home and a chance to prolong the night in one of the local hostelries.

Online entry for the race is €19.26 with a technical t-shirt for the first 800 to sign on. Register now at https://register.sportstiming.ie/ps/event/Dunshaughlin10km2017.