Turnbull wins St Patricks 5K

Gareth Turnbull

Belfast athlete Gareth Turnbull has won the 2012 Kleinwort Benson Investors St. Patrick’s 5K Festival Road Race, which took place in Dublin on Sunday, March 18th. The St. Malachy’s AC runner completed the course in 00:14:26, just 14 seconds adrift of the 00:14:12 course record.

Second place went to Thomas Fitzpatrick from Tallaght AC who finished in 00:14:31. He was followed in third place by John Coghlan of host club MSBAC in a time of 00:14:50.

Winner in the women’s category was Meath athlete Sara Louise Treacy, a member of Moynalvey AC, who completed the course in a time of 00:16:42.

Second in the women’s category was Lizzie Lee from Leevale AC with a time of 00:16:51 followed in third place by Raheny Shamrock athlete Lorraine Manning in 00:17:15

Team prizes in both men and women’s categories were won by Raheny Shamrock AC.

Organised by Metropolitan Harriers & St. Brigid’s Athletic Club, the race, from which a portion of the entry fee went to the Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin attracted in excess of 1,300 runners.

The event was a highlight of the annual St. Patrick’s Festival programme and a major element in attracting tourists and visitors to Dublin City. Entries were made up from dedicated athletes, families and fun runners alike.

Praising the efforts of all who took part, race director Eamonn Coghlan thanked Dublin City Council and An Garda Síochána for the support which they had given to the event.

Sponsorship was provided by Kleinwort Benson Investors, specialist provider of niche investment strategies for pension funds, charities and corporate bodies, who have supported the event for a number of years. Commenting, their chief executive Sean Hawkshaw, himself a well-known tri-athlete, said ‘we are proud to continue our support for an event that is an integral part of the St. Patrick’s Festival programme and we recognise its important role in attracting visitors to the city.’