Newry AC's Malone makes it home in second place at Fitzers 5K

Last Saturday on a beautiful late winter morning the eyes of the athletic community were on Dundalk for the very popular Fitzers 5km road race.

 

Almost 400 runners got the starters whistle at the Marshes shopping centre in Dundalk and Newry AC’s Mark Malone, a previous winner at Fitzers was quickly of the front of the race with Annadale Striders Jimmy Sloan. For the full distance of the race the two were no more than the thickness of a vest apart until the last 30m with Sloan getting the win in 15’34”, Malone was only a fews strides behind in second place and the podium was filled with North East Runners Maurice McMahon. 

 

In sixth place Newry’s Andy Hicks continued to improve as he came home in 16’28”. The last of the Newry seniors, John Mc Caffrey, ran 18’28” to finish in 22nd place. 

Also competing for the local club were 14yo’s Brianna Gregg and Megan Barnett. Swiss army knife Brianna competes in many different sports, swimming, triathlon, xc running, hockey and track & field and she stormed home as first junior in 19’27”. Just behind Brianna, Megan, niece of international mountain runner Ester Dixon, ran a massive PB in 19’32”