"Bob Heffernan and Mary Hanley" 5KM Road Race 2023
This is a photograph from the 4.5KM mark of the annual Na Fianna AC "Bob Heffernan and Mary Hanley" 5KM Road Race and Fun Run which was held in Johnstownbridge, Co. Kildare, Ireland on Tuesday 16th May 2023 at 20:00.
This race needs no introductions as it 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. The attendance at this year's race exceeded all expectations. Today's race again recorded an attendance of over 700 participants following on from approximately the same numbers in 2022.
The full set of photographs are available at our Flickr photoset here :
www.flickr.com/photos/peterm7/albums/72177720308322444
This race has great historical and emotional significance for the hosting club Na Fianna. Since the race's inception over 26 years ago it has commemorated 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. Last year the dearly departed Mary Hanley joined Bob Heffernan in receiving the honour of race co-dedication. Mary Hanley was a stalwart athlete, coach and volunteer for Na Fianna AC for her entire life right up to her untimely passing during the summer 2021. Mary and Bob gave a lifetime of dedication to the promotion of their club. Na Fianna AC are typical of many rural sporting clubs who have a large catchment area which combines rural North Kildare and South Meath taking in Enfield, Rathmoylan, Johnstownbridge and Baconstown. The race, known affectionately by club-members as simply "Bob's race" (and now Mary's) is a fitting tribute to commemorate their contributions to this sport. Indeed, not many road races are held in the same affection as this race with runners returning back every year to sample the course and the wonderful atmosphere again.
In addition to the fast course and competitive field, the weather was perfect for road racing. There was warm evening sunshine with hardly any wind.
The race is part of the Popup Races KIA Race Series. The race is a fixture on the Meath AAI Road Race calendar 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 Edenderry 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.
Photographs from 2022: www.flickr.com/photos/peterm7/albums/72177720299045746
Photographs from 2019: www.flickr.com/photos/peterm7/albums/72157708548820525
"Bob Heffernan and Mary Hanley" 5KM Road Race 2023
This is a photograph from the 4.5KM mark of the annual Na Fianna AC "Bob Heffernan and Mary Hanley" 5KM Road Race and Fun Run which was held in Johnstownbridge, Co. Kildare, Ireland on Tuesday 16th May 2023 at 20:00.
This race needs no introductions as it 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. The attendance at this year's race exceeded all expectations. Today's race again recorded an attendance of over 700 participants following on from approximately the same numbers in 2022.
The full set of photographs are available at our Flickr photoset here :
www.flickr.com/photos/peterm7/albums/72177720308322444
This race has great historical and emotional significance for the hosting club Na Fianna. Since the race's inception over 26 years ago it has commemorated 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. Last year the dearly departed Mary Hanley joined Bob Heffernan in receiving the honour of race co-dedication. Mary Hanley was a stalwart athlete, coach and volunteer for Na Fianna AC for her entire life right up to her untimely passing during the summer 2021. Mary and Bob gave a lifetime of dedication to the promotion of their club. Na Fianna AC are typical of many rural sporting clubs who have a large catchment area which combines rural North Kildare and South Meath taking in Enfield, Rathmoylan, Johnstownbridge and Baconstown. The race, known affectionately by club-members as simply "Bob's race" (and now Mary's) is a fitting tribute to commemorate their contributions to this sport. Indeed, not many road races are held in the same affection as this race with runners returning back every year to sample the course and the wonderful atmosphere again.
In addition to the fast course and competitive field, the weather was perfect for road racing. There was warm evening sunshine with hardly any wind.
The race is part of the Popup Races KIA Race Series. The race is a fixture on the Meath AAI Road Race calendar 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 Edenderry 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.
Photographs from 2022: www.flickr.com/photos/peterm7/albums/72177720299045746
Photographs from 2019: www.flickr.com/photos/peterm7/albums/72157708548820525