Clongowes Wood 5K

Rory Mooney, John O'Regan, Peter Mooney.

The Taper has started and that means reduced volume with increased intensity and what better way to start it than with a race.

The inaugural Clongowes Wood 5K took place in the magnificent surrounds of Clongowes Wood College on Sunday April 01st.  A well organised race with a field of almost 500 runners and walkers of all abilities including many familiar faces.  The race was as flat as you'll get with no more than 15M of ascent and race day conditions were perfect so this was the day for a PB but I had gone with a plan!  I was running with one of my trainers 'Kevin Belton' and the plan for today was a 3:30K for a 17:30 finish.  After a fast start I settled into my pace with Kevin slightly ahead and when passing through the first kilometer mark he confirmed our split as 3:30.  The main pack were slightly ahead but rather than get caught in the race we stayed as we were and clocked the same pace going through the second and third marker.  Kevin dropped back ever so slightly as we approached the 4K mark but I maintained the pace nestled into a group of 3 and prepared myself for a sprint finish.  Soon after passing the 4K mark the entrance to the college becomes visible and the final 7-800M from the gate to the finish line is just stunning.  Not knowing how good my kick was I stayed with the pack and waited for the last possible moment and then it happened.  

Sprint finish.

I made up 1 position with the sprint finish and crossed the finish line fairly spent which is always a good way to cross the line.

Crossing the line.

Crossing the finish line in 17:31 for 5th overall and as I later found out, 1st Over 40.  No big deal but it did get me a very impressive prize.

Photos thanks to Peter Mooney and full set of race day photos photos available on Peter Mooney's flickr.

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