1,400 hardy souls at Clon’s inaugural races

BUILD it, and they’ll come, organise it and they’ll run — and run it they did, more than 1,400 hardy souls and hardened soles turning up for a trinity of inaugural races, in the fortnight run-up to Christmas.

The hospitable west Cork town of Clonakilty, was the weekend focus for mini, half and full marathons, devised by fledgling organisers to huge acclaim — in a town that doesn’t even have a running club.

Winner, by a 10-minute margin, of the 26-mile race honour was Bandon man George Waugh, a former soccer player who only took up running three years ago. His 2hr 34 minute race was not only his second-ever marathon, he also won his first outing, in Limerick, earlier this year. The cash prize, and first honours will come as some sweet recompense to the 30-year- old who lost his job with Fás three weeks ago.