An Cosantóir the official magazine of the Irish Defence Forces and Reserve Defence Forces.
Issue link: https://digital.jmpublishing.ie/i/973701
An Cosantóir May 2018 www.dfmagazine.ie 30 | By CoMDt oRLA JEnnIngS PhotoS By Sgt CoLuM LAWLoR 30 | T he Defence Forces 5 mile road race was hosted by the Air Corps on the 22 March 2018 in Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel. This was the first time in recent years that this event has been organised and the first time it has been hosted by the Air Corps. As a result it drew a highly competitive field with 200 competitors turning up on the day, to test themselves against the clock and each other. The event was centred at the gymnasium, where registration took place, under the watchful eye of Cpl Karen Robinson. This location provided an ideal place for competitors and onlookers to gather and as a result a large amount of speculation over the winning time ensued. All three services were represented with a field drawn from across the Defence Forces. The race got underway just after 1200hrs when the competitors were sent on their way by a whistle blast from Sgt Alan Hayles. It was imme- diately evident from the speed at which the elite runners took off that the winning time would be a course record. The weather was dry but a strong wind provided a tough test as the competitors made their way around the course which circumnavigated the air field. Marshals positioned on the course provided radio updates to the finish where speculation was ongoing as to the potential winning time. Spectators were finally provided with the answer when Pte Kenneth Rogers, 6 Inf Bn crossed the line in a fantastic time of 26:39, he was followed by PO Darren Molloy from the Naval Service in a time of 27:15 and Pte Paul Buckley also from the 6 Inf Bn was the third man across the line in a time of 28:32. Comdt Maeve O'Grady, ACHQ was the first female across the line in a super time of 34:39. She was followed by Capt Anna Edgeworth, ACC, with a time of 36:29 and the third lady to cross the line was Cpl Kim Mullin, DFHQ, with a time of 36:33. A huge thank you should be extended to all the Units from both within and outside the Air Corps who provided support to this event making it a great day out and a success. It is hoped that this will become an annual fixture in the Defence Forces Athletic Calendar. See you all in 2019!