Big boost for standing of athletics event in Tipperary with new national record set

At the recent Coillte 10k road race in Dundrum, West Waterford athlete Joe Gough set a new national over 70 years men’s record for the 10k distance. The popular Waterford man broke the old national record by a whopping 78 seconds.
Joe, who has won multiple European and World titles over the years, is a regular visitor to Dundrum. His super run and finish time of 41 minutes and 10 seconds in the Coillte 10k saw him break the national 10k road record of 42 minutes 28 seconds, which was held by Martin Kerr from the Milford club in Donegal.
Joe of course then also broke the Over 70 years men’s Dundrum course record of 44 minutes and 4 seconds, which was set by Andrew Jeyes from the Ivanhoe club in the UK in 2018. The Dundrum club are delighted for Joe, who is a gentleman of the sport and has time for everybody at all the race meets.
Joe’s new record means that the popular Dundrum course now has three national records to its name with Lizzie Leevale’s Over 40 time of 33:45 and Angela McCann’s Over 50 time of 37:21 both set in 2021, along with Joe this year; a testament to the speed of the course.
Thanks must be given to Billy Purcell, who did the due measurement of the course in May of this year. Also, to Niall O’Sullivan of Premier Timing Systems who timed the race on the night. Tipperary County Council and local councillors must also be thanked for keeping the road upgraded over the past 38 years of the running of the event.