On a superb spring day on March 21st twenty six members of Slaney Olympic descended on Ballycotton to test their mettle over the famous 10 mile course.

The early birds, the Doyle and O’Leary vehicles, arrived in time to get prime parking on the cliff road only to be welcomed by Graham and Jane who had parked their camper there the previous night.

As the sea sparkled under a sunny, cloudless blue sky the masses assembled for the start. All had their own personal goals but few were revealing them. Your scribes cheered them on their way as they set off on the narrow street of the village. A little over an hour later we welcomed them back as we distributed flyers at the finish line.

First home was Billy Reck in a great time of 1.03.30 followed shortly after by Bobby Redmond and Pat O’Sullivan. Gradually they all filtered through the finish line, in various states of happiness and exhaustion. Bernie Millar, in training for her first marathon in Connemara, was first Slaney lady.

Another Ballycotton finishers mug collected and it was time to head back to Enniscorthy…no bus this year but at least they would have some idea when they would reach home!

Well done to all. See some photos here