Fourteen athletes from Tallaght Athletic Club flew to Torrevieja in the province of Alicante to compete in the 27th running of the Torrevieja International Half Marathon on Sunday February 28th.
The race attracted a record field of 1713 international competitors from Europe and Africa and was run in a very pleasant 18 degrees Centigrade. The course took the athletes along Torrevieja’s majestic Promenade and coastline and back into the main streets with sound teams ensuring a steady beat all the way.
Tallaght's contingent were prominent from the outset with Jeetun Dharamjai leading the charge in the top ten for most of race only to finish in a very creditable 11th place in 74 minutes. Luke Coleman was celebrating his 21st birthday on race day and he produced a super run in his first ever half marathon finishing in 77minutes. His time placed him in 25th place overall but he was called to the podium to collect his prize as the second fastest U23 athlete in the race. Tom Fitzpatrick was another to make the podium when he was called on to receive his prize for 4th place in the Over 55 category. Ray Fitzsimons just missed out on the prizes in the O/50 category but was delighted to dip under 90 minutes with a personal best time for the distance.
The Ladies too had their day and none more so than Sharon Tighe who finished as the Clubs top female performer in her first ever half marathon. Sharon’s time of 95 minutes was strong enough for her to secure 2nd place in the Female Over 40 category. Susan Adams also produced a stunning performance to secure 6th place in the O/40 category
Janice Mahon ran through an injury to take 5th place in the over 45 Category while Marisa Mc Millan was the Club’s top Senior performer as she shaved over 5 minutes off her previous best performance. Gwen Baker finished soon after Marisa with Michelle Fitzpatrick, Susan Holland and Lisa Curley in hot pursuit and all five athletes finished in the top 35 in their category and can be considered unlucky not to have secured a team award. Tracy Halpin was the clubs only athlete in the over 35 category and she can be well pleased with her 13th position in this class.
This was the Clubs first appearance at this event and the whole experience was a pleasant one with a super course, state of the art organization and a very large and vocal Spanish community getting right behind all of the athletes.
