Eventual winner Gary Thornton leads the way in the annual Fields of Athenry race.

Over 600 entrants enjoyed near perfect conditions in a hugely successful Fields of Athenry 10KM road race ? with GaryThornton of Galway City Harriers claiming victory for the third year in a row.

Thornton also set a new course record of 30:02 and but for a stiff breeze over the latter part of the race, would likely have ducked under the benchmark thirty minute mark.

Emmet Dunleavy of Sligo AC and Paul McNamara of Athenry AC were close behind in second and third. In the women's event, Orla Ni Mhuircheartaigh of GCH crossed the line first in 38:52 with Ann Carter of Athenry AC and Catharine Conway of Mayo AC claiming second and third respectively.

Both Orla and Ann were still fresh from their very prominent placings in the All-Ireland Novice Cross-Country Championships in Dungarvan in mid-December.

GCH won both teams events while special mention must be made of two true legends of road running in Galway. Brian Geraghty of GCH won the M65 category in an excellent 41:4, while Michael Kelly of Tuam AC swept to victory in the M70 category.

This was the sixth running of the race by Athenry AC and the the huge field of runners, joggers and walkers was a triumph for organisers ? with a substantial increase from the 460 who turned out in 2006.

A large donation from the profits of the race will make its way to a local charity over the next month.

Full results, many images and a finish line video of the race are available from www.athenryac.com.

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