A mighty team of just under 40 Drogheda & District runners - second only to the home club - joined approximately 1,800 runners from all over Ireland, including the very best Ireland has to offer, to take part in the annual favourite which incorporates the national 10k road race Championships.

The attractive route takes runners across the village in a Westerly direction and winds along the country roads straddling the border with both Kildare and Dublin before returning to the village from the South, finishing on the athletics track. The gradients and the weather were favourable.

Aaron Hanlon managed to join the leading group and stay in a good position despite the furious pace over the opening first kilometre through the town.

Aaron settled in well though and clearly training for the upcoming Belfast marathon is going very well as he was just outside the top twenty with a time of 30:53. Colin Leonard also had an excellent run and finished with a classy 32:38. Next up was Paul Smith, showing that he still has the edge over Brian Martin who was 4 seconds in 33:20. Paul’s season is just getting going after smartly overcoming injury.  Colin Leonard, Paul Smith and Brian Martin were fifth male over 35's team (out of 39).

Colin Dyas is rising through the ranks to become one of the best road runners - he's been training away very smartly and it shows - 34:25 for the 10k and he has so much potential.

John Reilly is also coming back to his best - he cruised around the course in a fine 37:41. Jordi Romera continues to improve and he had a fantastic race covering the distance in 38:04.

Stephane Mainguard had a fantastic individual effort and combined well with Yasmin Canning and Andrea McArdle - 11th female over 35's team (out of 31).

Thady Lynch is a runner to watch this year also, he got by in a nice 45:47. Marta Herrera had a massive personal best in 48:01 - it was especially sweet as Mum and partner were visiting from Catalonia.

Drogheda & District had a great day at the Leinster Juvenile indoor Championships on the Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th March with 11 athletes competing over the 2 days with many of our athletes succeeding with personal bests at both sprint and middle distances.

The competition is both Ferocious and intense the standard is incredible. Eabha Ashwood had a terrific pb of 9.39 secs in the Girls under 14 60meters.

Dearbhla Johnston had an incredible run in her heat achieving a personal best of 7 secs in the Girls under 12 600 meters in a time of 1min 57.09, as did Nessa Foley in a time of 2.05.72. Later Dearbhla went on to finish 10th in the final with another good time of 2min.00.64.

Hannah Cunningham had a personal best in the Girls under 14 800meters with quick 2 min 37.99 while sister Beatrice also had a terrific personal best for the 2 lap distance (2.30.95), and later went on to run another pb in the final running almost 2 seconds quicker than her qualifying time.

It is very rewarding for both athlete and coaching staff, and we're delighted that the future of athletics in Drogheda is looking bright!