New PBs for Midlands athletes in elite race

Michael Murphy from Kilbeggan and Danielle Donegan from Tullamore produced highly impressive displays when they made the long trip to Armagh for the annual Armagh International Road Races on February 13.

The event is organised by Armagh Athletic Club and attracts athletes of the highest elite standards from all over the world. The programme of races included the international men's 5k, international women's 3k, men's open 3k, and various junior events and is renowned for hosting one of the world's fastest road races over both the 3k and 5k distances.

Both Murphy and Donegan are members of Tullamore Harriers AC, with both hailing from families renowned in athletics circles.

Murphy had a superb run to finish 25th in a new PB of 14:01, taking 37 seconds off his previous best time on the road.

As a measure of his performance, Michael finished just 10 seconds behind Efrem Gidey - the top Irish finisher in 8th place - who recently clocked 27:43 in the Valencia 10k race. This made Michael the second Irish finisher in a highly competitive field and augurs well for his chances in the National Senior Indoor Championships this weekend (February 22-23).

Donegan ran a super race in the women's 3k to finish 8th in a top class international field. Danielle ran a new PB of 9:20, just one second behind the first Irish finisher Roisin Flanagan.

There was a large contingent from Ireland at the event and they were joined by athletes from the USA, UK, Holland, Finland, Germany, Poland and Sweden. Over 220 athletes took to the start line in the men's 5k race.