Patsy Kelly 5K
On Saturday evening, Brian Todd and Gerald Harvey headed south and out of the jurisdiction to Dundalk (Brian’s home town) for the Patsy Kelly 5K road race.
This is a seriously fast race which bills itself as probably the fastest in the country. It is a single loop route which straddles the railway tracks in the north of the town. The race was launched in 2012 in memory of Patsy Kelly, a stalwart of the local Clan na Gael Gaelic Athletic Club.
Strangely, the only prize awarded in the form of a trophy on the evening (there were also plenty of Euro prizes) was the impressive Patsy Kelly Trophy for the winner of the M60 category which was won by Brian Todd for a time of 20.12 (84th/759), considerably slower than his time last year of 19.48. However, this year a fairly brisk northerly wind affected at least two kilometres of the five kilometre race and times were generally slower, particularly given the absence of the Project Africa athletes this year.
Gerald Harvey too had a great run to finish in 22.56 (203rd/759). He too would surely have bettered his personal best at this distance had that wind not been blowing. The Patsy Kelly 5k race was won by Garry Campbell (Dunleer AC) in 15.25. First lady was Esther Dickson (Newry AC) in 18.46. As is usual with any GAA organised event the organisation, hospitality and general warm welcome to visitors were second to none. More of us should try this one. You can get a train to the start line!
Thanks and congratulations to Brian Todd, race reporter and trophy-holder.
