06-05-2025
Drogheda & District AC's Aaron Hanlon on podium after stunning marathon debut in Belfast
The extraordinarily talented local primary school teacher said afterwards: 'The atmosphere was brilliant and the course just got tough between 25 to 30km where it was hilly and windy, but it was a fantastic experience.'
Hanlon was modest about his efforts. There is no match for his ability and this race showed the discipline it takes to succeed. Hanlon was unlucky to have a stitch at the 30km mark but now holds the fastest marathon record in Drogheda & District AC and the expectation is that unless he breaks it himself, it will stand for a long time to come.
Elsewhere, on Saturday, Colin Leonard was crowned Leinster road champion at the annual Athletics Leinster Championships.
No one could catch Leonard in the 6K race which he completed in a very tidy 19:45.
The Louth ladies team - comprising D&D duo Yasmin Canning and Mary Leech as well as Karen Costello of Dunleer AC placed third and Leech also won a category prize and felt good, finishing the tough 3K race in 11:28. Canning wasn't far behind, finishing in 12:09.
Top of the pops at the Graded series round one at Morton Stadium, Ernesto Saborio won his 800m heat with a time of 2:06.03.
Jimmy English performed very strongly at the 100m - running twice in a time of 12.60sec for both - as did Frank Cruise with an excellent 14.41sec.
Kerry McHugh had a nice run too, completing the 800m in 3:22.24, and Sophie Kinsella brought her time down to 2:36.05 - very good running from both of them.
Another Drogheda & District clubman, Chris Keenan, showed that he's race-fit with a solid run at the Irish Milers Mens' A 1500m, finishing with a good time of 4:04.41 for the metric mile.
