3 days ago
Grace Richardson makes it a family affair in VHI Women's Mini Marathon win
In 2018, Aoibhe, the eldest of the four Kilkenny sisters, won the VHI Mini Marathon. Last year, Grace, the second eldest, and Maebh, the baby of the family, finished third and fourth.
This year, it was Grace and Aoibhe who were lining out and it quickly became clear that this might be the year of Grace.
At the 4km mark on the Stillorgan Road, the sisters were part of a group of four that included Jessica Craig (North Down AC), and Claire Fagan (Mullingar Harriers). After all four were given a halfway time of 17 minutes 39 second, Grace moved up a gear and began pulling away.
Down Nutley Lane and through leafy Ballsbridge, she steadily increased her lead and when she finished in a time of 34 minutes 17 seconds, had eight seconds to spare.
Fagan, who had done her best to stay in touch was rewarded with the runners-up position in a time of 34:25, while third was Craig in 34:55. Aoibhe Richardson faded slightly in the closing stages of a tough race but still finished a worthy fourth behind her sister in 35:03.
Not too far behind was mother Niamh, who finished second W55 in 42:08. Niamh is a mini marathon stalwart, never quite managing to win the race, but finishing second in 1991, third in 1992 and second again in 1993 — and still capable of making up a formidable Kilkenny City Harriers team with two or even three of her daughters.
Aoibhe Richardson was by no means the only previous winner lining out for this 43rd version of what is the unofficial Irish women's 10km championships.
First master overall, as well as first over 55 for a third year, was the evergreen Annette Kealy (Raheny Shamrock AC), who had won the 2008 race when already over 40 and after many years of trying.
This year, she finished 18th overall in 38:49 , about the same time as a year earlier. She's also a practising barrister and mother of four.
Then there's Christine Kennedy (Galway City Harriers) the 1990 winner and another mini marathon regular.
Kennedy went on to win the Dublin Marathon in 1990 – clearly a good year for her – and again in 1991. Last year, Kennedy finished first W65 in the mini marathon; this year she was first W70.
