On Saturday 8 December, St. Anne's Park in Raheny hosted the Irish Life Health National Championships of 20km and 30km in Ireland.
Not many athletes at the start, but with some names of foreign athletes to highlight the races.
Suffice it to recall the vice-champion of London 2012, Eric Barrondo (GUA), who competed on the 30km and his wife, Mirna Sucely Ortiz (GUA) also at the start for the 30km, in addition to that of Ishida Yuki who arrived from far away Japan.
30km men
Also the Irish national titles were up for grabs not only on the 30km distance but also on the intermediate 20km finish line.
Erick Bernabé Barrondo (GUA) and Brendan Boyce (IRL) took the lead, followed by David Kenny (IRL) and Cian McManamon (IRL) who was aiming for a good result on 20km, but who was then forced to abandon the race after 17km.
At 20km (with the times recorded only for the athletes who had requested it) the results were as follows:
1.- Brendan Boyce (IRL) in 1:29:34
2.- David Kenny (IRL) in 1:29:50
3.- Jerome Caprice (IRL) in 1:37:54
The 30km saw the victory of Erick Bernabé Barrondo (GUA) in 2:14:02 followed by 9" by Brendan Boyce (IRL) in 2:14:11.
In third place Jerome Caprice (IRL) in 2:26:49
The bronze of the Irish Championships went to Brian O'Domhnaill in 2:51:37
20km women
Most of the athletes have chosen the distance of 20km.
Victory for Ivana Renic (CRO) who won the race in 1:37:15 new national record of Croatia
Second place, and national title of Ireland, for Kate Veale (IRL), in 1:37:54
Third place for Heater Lewis (GBR) in 1:39:01
Fourth place and silver medal at the Irish Championships for Veronica Burke (IRL) in 1:47:00
Fifth place and bronze medal at the Irish Championships for Rachel Glennon (IRL) in 1:56:30
Mirna Sucely Ortiz (GUA) then continued up to 30km completed the test in 2:26:46