Cathal O’Donovan continued his amazing winning streak in Cork road races at the EMC 5km in Ovens, making it now seven consecutive victories since the start of May.
The 25-year-old Dunmanway native also recored a personal best of 15:55 for the distance when defeating last year’s winner, Ed Murphy, by 17 seconds.
George Waugh, who had finished second in two other races in the past week, had to settle for third on this occasion in a time of 16:14.
“I had five minutes for the first mile and Ed was close behind me at that stage but I opened up a gap after that and so was happy with my run,” said O’Donovan.
He now goes in the Runways Dublin Duathlon on Tuesday next, an event which comprises of a 2.7km run, a 13km cycle, followed by another 2.7km run. But first there is another challenge for this all-round athlete – the Ring of Kerry cycle on Saturday.
For Maura Regan, her victory was all the sweeter as it was her win since the Mealagh Valley 10-miler in February.
More at home over the longer distances, she was delighted with her time of 18:51 which gave her almost a minute to spare over Michelle Nolan (19:50) with Regan’s Eagle clubmate, Anne-Marie Power, taking third place in 20:00.
“The win was totally unexpected as I ran the Cork City Marathon a month ago,” said Regan. “I like the half-marathon best and plan on doing that distance at Killarney on the weekend after next.”
Around 400 runners took part in the Cork BHAA promotion and the action continues tonight (Thursday) when the 16th Corkbeg road race – this year over four miles – takes place at the Whitegate venue, commencing at 8pm.
Results
1 Cathal O’Donovan 15:55; 2 Ed Murphy 16:12; 3 George Waugh 16:14; 4 Cathal O’Connell (M45) 16:34; 5 Kevin Wilmot 16:45; 6 Joe Cunningham (M40) 17:05.
Team: (Grade A) 1 DMP 33; 2 UCC 39; 3 Cork Garda 54. (Grade B) 1 IPS 92; 2 Army 103; 3 Revenue 120. (Grade C) 1 Bord Gais 136; 2 EMC 186; 3 Blarney Woollen Mills 195.
Women: 1 Maura Regan 18:51; 2 Michelle Nolan (F35) 19:50; 3 Ann-Marie Power 20:00.
Team: (Grade A) 1 HSE 4; 2 Dept of Education 11. (Grade B) 1 EMC 41; 2 Core 47.
