Tipperary athlete met a man in Dundrum 33 years ago and he hasn't looked back since...

Fethard Athletic Club had seven athletes in Dundrum for the 38th annual Coillte 10k Road Race on Wednesday evening last. There were 285 athletes in the 10k road race and 15 athletes in the 5k race, which made for a thrilling and fast-paced race.
Our first athlete home was Louis Rice in 20th place with a massive PB running 34:14 over the distance. Louis is so committed to his training and never afraid to do the hard work it takes to reach high standards.
Our next athlete home was James Maher in 59th place. It wasn’t quite a PB for James but his best time in eight years and again a testament to the hard work put in at training .
We then went reeling back the years for our next athlete, Fintan Rice who came in 64th place in a time of 38.15. The story is he met a certain John Laste 33 years ago in Dundrum and after a battle on the route, John encouraged Fintan to join a club and he hasn’t looked back since.
This was a terrific performance by Fintan, who won his over 55 age category. Fintan’s time on that night in 1990 was 35.14 before magic shoes, garmins and dri flow.
Kevin O’Meara was Fethard AC’s fouth man home in a time of 43.30, which is Kevin’s best time in a while. Kevin is also training well as he steps up his Dublin Marathon programme.

CAROL FIRST HOME
Our first woman home was Carol Molloy in 53.07, with Paula Hendriksen in 56.54 and Margaux Vanbelle in 1.00.50, well done.
It’s great to see our women out racing again. No doubt there will big things from them in the not too distant future.
Thank you to Dundrum AC for the wonderful event. It’s always so welcoming and super to see a local race in its 38th year and the hospitality afterwards is second to none.