Bob Heffernan 5KM Road Race 2018
This is a photograph from the annual Na Fianna AC "Bob Heffernan" 5KM Road Race and Fun Run which was held in Johnstownbridge, Co. Kildare, Ireland on Tuesday 22nd May 2018 at 20:00. The race is now firmly established on the Leinster road racing calendar with athletes travelling from all over the region to take part. The race has gained a glowing reputation as being one of the fastest 5KM road races in Ireland. It is one of the rare occasions around road racing circles these days where a very small club can organise a very successful large participation race. Today's race had another very large attendance with over 400 participants finishing the race following on from a similar number of finishers last year. Popup Races were the official timing and event management partners of the race.
This race commemorates the years of work and volunteering that local man Bob Heffernan gave to Meath, Leinster, and Irish athletics from grass roots upwards and his work with the host club Na Fianna AC. Na Fianna AC are typical of many rural sporting clubs who have a large catchment area which combines rural North Kildare and South Meath. The race, known affectionately by club-members as simply "Bob's race" is a fitting tribute to commemorate his contribution to this sport. Indeed, not many road races are held in the same affection by runners as Bob's Race with runners returning back every year to sample the course and the wonderful atmosphere again.
Our family remembers the days 15 years ago when this race was held in the village of Rathmoylan about 10 miles from the current venue. In those days the race was deemed a success if 75 to 100 runners made the start line. What a testimony to the hard work of Na Fianna AC today's race is! The weather was perfect for road racing - hardly any wind and wonderful warm temperatures - with bright hazy sunshine.
The race is part of the Popup Races KIA Race Series. The KIA race series is Irelands newest race series, taking in 7 of the top road races in the country and finishing with a brand new finale in Mondello Park in September 2018. It is also part of the annual Meath AAI Road Race League despite the fact that the race is run completely in County Kildare. The current route for the race has stayed the same over the past few years. However previous to that the race was held in Enfield and also Rathmoylan in County Meath. The race starts on the busy Enfield to Endenderry road and this requires a big effort from stewards and marshalls. However, as always, the event was a resounding success with personal bests and great runs from many of the participants. The course is very fast and flat - it is a one loop course which is left-handed in terms of turns. Indeed some parts of the route between 2 and 4 K have been resurfaced recently adding a flat smooth track like surface to this section.
The prize giving and refreshments for runners is provided in the Nightclub section of the Hamlet Court Hotel.
Bob Heffernan 5KM Road Race 2018
This is a photograph from the annual Na Fianna AC "Bob Heffernan" 5KM Road Race and Fun Run which was held in Johnstownbridge, Co. Kildare, Ireland on Tuesday 22nd May 2018 at 20:00. The race is now firmly established on the Leinster road racing calendar with athletes travelling from all over the region to take part. The race has gained a glowing reputation as being one of the fastest 5KM road races in Ireland. It is one of the rare occasions around road racing circles these days where a very small club can organise a very successful large participation race. Today's race had another very large attendance with over 400 participants finishing the race following on from a similar number of finishers last year. Popup Races were the official timing and event management partners of the race.
This race commemorates the years of work and volunteering that local man Bob Heffernan gave to Meath, Leinster, and Irish athletics from grass roots upwards and his work with the host club Na Fianna AC. Na Fianna AC are typical of many rural sporting clubs who have a large catchment area which combines rural North Kildare and South Meath. The race, known affectionately by club-members as simply "Bob's race" is a fitting tribute to commemorate his contribution to this sport. Indeed, not many road races are held in the same affection by runners as Bob's Race with runners returning back every year to sample the course and the wonderful atmosphere again.
Our family remembers the days 15 years ago when this race was held in the village of Rathmoylan about 10 miles from the current venue. In those days the race was deemed a success if 75 to 100 runners made the start line. What a testimony to the hard work of Na Fianna AC today's race is! The weather was perfect for road racing - hardly any wind and wonderful warm temperatures - with bright hazy sunshine.
The race is part of the Popup Races KIA Race Series. The KIA race series is Irelands newest race series, taking in 7 of the top road races in the country and finishing with a brand new finale in Mondello Park in September 2018. It is also part of the annual Meath AAI Road Race League despite the fact that the race is run completely in County Kildare. The current route for the race has stayed the same over the past few years. However previous to that the race was held in Enfield and also Rathmoylan in County Meath. The race starts on the busy Enfield to Endenderry road and this requires a big effort from stewards and marshalls. However, as always, the event was a resounding success with personal bests and great runs from many of the participants. The course is very fast and flat - it is a one loop course which is left-handed in terms of turns. Indeed some parts of the route between 2 and 4 K have been resurfaced recently adding a flat smooth track like surface to this section.
The prize giving and refreshments for runners is provided in the Nightclub section of the Hamlet Court Hotel.