BIODEGRADABLE: Single-use bottles were replaced with compostable cups for water at the various water stations along the routes and at the finish line.

By Sean Moriarty

A plastic bottle-free event proved a huge success at the recent Gleneagle Hotel Run Killarney.

Single-use bottles were replaced with compostable cups for water at the various water stations along the routes and at the finish line.

More than 3000 runners took part in either the half-marathon or 10k, with the longest sections featuring a run from Moll’s Gap to the Gleneagle Hotel via the National Park.

“Of particular significance this year was the launch of our plastic bottle-free initiative,” Race Director, Oliver Kirwan, said. “We are always working towards making our events as green as possible.”

In the half-marathon, Cork dominated the field, the first male was Alan O’Brien from Eagle AC in Cork, coming in at a time of 1hr 09mins 13 seconds. In 2nd place was Michael Morgan, St Finbarr’s AC, Cork (1hr 10mins 44 sec) and 3rd place went to Vivian Foley also from Eagle AC, Cork (1hr 11mins 05 sec). The first female home in the half marathon was Teresa Murphy from Kent, UK, coming home in 1hr 22mins 46 sec followed by Helen Healy from Raheny in Dublin in 1 hr 24min 20 sec and in third place, Claire O’Brien from Watergrasshill AC, Cork, in 1hr 24mins 46 sec.

The 10k race got underway from the Gleneagle Hotel at 9.15am. First across the line in the 10K was Kieran McKeown, Watergrasshill AC, Cork, 33 mins 28sec, first female to come in was Kerry native Mary Daly at 38 mins 01 sec. Other category wins in the 10k included Ger Daly who won the overall male wheelchair category in a time of 01hr 22min 02 sec and Ross Gallagher in the visually impaired category in 1hr 01 min 52 secs.

“What an amazing day we had at Run Killarney, next year will be our 10^thyear and it’s fantastic to see this event is still so popular with local people and visitors alike. We are privileged to be able to run this event in such a spectacular setting. Well done to everyone who took part in the event, whether they broke their PB or walked at a leisurely pace.”