Race Info

The inaugural Cara Bundoran Run - a 10 Mile Challenge Road Race will take place on Saturday, March 5th 2011 at 11am

Great Day at Cara Bundoran Run

Yesterday saw the inaugural Cara Bundoran Run – 10 Mile Challenge kick into life with well over 400 runners, joggers and walkers making the trip to the beautiful seaside town of Bundoran to take the challenge.

Numbers and goody bags were collected the night before and on the day of the race at the GAA Clubhouse in the town and all the entrants seemed ready and eager to take the 10 Mile Challenge on and to maximise the enjoyment factor!

On a calm and mild day in the Donegal town, the walkers were off first around the striking 10 mile course at 10am after having warmed up nicely by Paddy Donoghue of SAF Fitness. The atmosphere was relaxed and the local people ready to cheer all those taking part in the run from beginning to end.

At 11am, the main Run got underway by former Irish distance running legend, and Letterkenny man, Danny McDaid after another energetic and motivating warm-up by Paddy from SAF Fitness. It was indeed a fantastic sight to see the large group or runners make their way down the main street of Bundoran for the first time and out around town for the 10 Mile Challenge.

Taking part in the event were many from near and far from the town of Bundoran. Cara Pharmacy’s Canice Nicholas took part of course, along with many members of the local organising club Tir Chonnaill AC, together with walkers, joggers and runners from all over the country and beyond.

As the runners their way around the winding and charming roads of Bundoran town, preparations were being made down at the picture-postcard finish area on the promenade by the sea.

Down the coastline hill they came from about 11:50am, all ages and abilities, first in one’s and two’s, then in small and large groups of tired but highly satisfied walkers, joggers and walkers, delighted to have got round the dramatic but challenging 10 mile course.

The first runner home in the excellent time of 50:18 seconds was Derry man Paddy Hamilton, who had over a two-minute advantage over his nearest rival, young Patrick Brennan from Letterkenny in 52:56. Taking the third rung on the winners’ rostrum was Ferbane’s Paul Buckley in another respectable time of 54:14.

1st woman home across the line on the day to the beautiful coastline of Bundoran was Belfast's Breege Connolly in another excellent time of 59:23, followed home by Tir Chonaill AC’s Fiona Stack in 1:04:26 seconds and Sligo's Roseanne Mitchell in 1:07:40 in third.

On the day though, all who took part in the inaugural Cara Bundoran Run yesterday were winners as they can say they were there when this event, destined to be an annual run, was brought into Ireland’s ever growing race calendar for the first time.

At the Prize giving presentation at 2pm at Waterworld Bundoran, post-race refreshments were kindly laid-on to all and the talk was of what each had gone through to get to the line on the promenade a little while earlier. Cara Pharmacy’s Canice Nicholas thanked all the associate sponsors, the town council, Tir Chonaill AC and Athletics Ireland for all their assistance in making the day such a success, and prizes were awarded to those in the leading categories on the day.

The talk of the afternoon among all who had run, and many who didn’t was – see you next year for more of the same!

Thank you to everyone who walked, jogged and ran the inaugural Cara Bundoran Run – 10 Mile Challenge yesterday.

 

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