Rita & Robbie race a great occasion

A family occasion at the Rita and Robbie 5k road race from Claremont Stadium, Navan today.

Up to 500 runners tackled the third annual road race that commemorates two former stalwarts of local and national
athletics - Rita Brady and Robbie Byrne.

But it wasn't all about the adult athletes and the children were catered for also right from under-6 up to u-14 with 
different age categories completing one to two laps of the track at Claremont Stadium before the 'big' boys and girls moved on to the road for the timed event.

WATCH THE PRESENTATIONS

And only 24 hours after he stormed to victory in the Cavan Christmas Dash (5k in 15:46) Ben Brunton took another four seconds of that time to cross the line in Navan today over rthe same distance in 15:42.

Niall Smith who was second yesterday in Cavan in 16:44 also took four seconds off his time to complete in 16:40 and fifth place today.

Karen Costello (Dunleer) was the first female home in 17:44 with Laura Buckley (Dunboyne) in second and Ellen Vitting (Trim) in third place.

The event was also special for two young Navan AC girls who collected their Leinster u-11 medals Charley Coogan and Genevieve Dorrigan that they won in Tullamore.

THE TOP 10 MEN AND WOMEN WERE 
MEN 

1, Ben BRUNTON    (St Brigid's) 15:42    
2, Tadhg DONNELLY    (Drogheda) 16:10    
3, Brian LEAHY     (Raheny) 16:14    
4, Scott HAZELL    (Massey Runners) 16:22    
5, Niall SMITH    (Shercock) 16:40    
6, Richard BELL    (Fr Murphy) 16:51    
7, Rory KAVANAGH    (Dunboyne) 16:57    
8, Ciaran O'DWYER    (Dunshaughlin) 17:07    
9, Killian HEERY    (Bailieboro) 17:21    
10, Evan SCULLY    (Dunshaughlin) 17:23
WOMEN
1, Karen Costello (Dunleer) 17:44
2, Laura Buckley (Dunboyne) 18:12
3, Ellen Vitting (Trim) 19:01.
4, Claire Ni Fhaircheallaigh (Dunboyne) 19:03
5, Anne O'Brien (Balbriggan) 19:27
6, Mary Hanley (Na Fianna)19:35
7, Breda O'Connor (Dunshaughlin) 20:03
8, Ann Marie Hazell (unattached) 20:38
9, Fiona Kenna (Star of the Sea) 20:38
10, Emma Neary (Na Fianna) 20:44    

See next edition of Meath Chronicle for all the results and photos from the event. 

WATCH THE FINISH

WATCH THE START - IT'S A BIT OF A WAIT 

ABOUT RITA AND ROBBIE

RITA BRADY

Rita Brady’s involvement with athletics goes back to 1969 and the De La Salle Athletic Club which was attached to the local school in Navan.

Her main involvement at the time was in administration – a task that she was still involved in at club and county level until her passing in 2017.

She was a member of Navan AC committee since the foundation of the club in 1973 and was the club’s first secretary and club chairperson on a number of occasions, she was also the Navan delegate for many years at county, provincial and national levels.

The late Mrs Brady held a number of positions at national level, NACAI Juvenile Secretary from 1974-1978, Coaching Secretary to the National Senior NACAI boards, National NACAI secretary for 13 years (1982-1990), national President NACAI for three years (1995-1997), a member of the Board of AAI and a member of the AAI Finance Committee.

She was honoured for her contribution to athletics over the years and received an award for Woman in Sport in 1987 and in 2013 when she received an IAAF Certification for her services to athletics at club, county, provincial and national levels.

In 2015 she was inducted in the Meath Hall of Fame for her contribution to sport in the area.

ROBBIE BYRNE

Robbie Byrne had a lifelong involvement in local athletics. His first interest in athletics was as an athlete with St Mary’s AC, Navan in the 1940s and 1950s, and then again when the club re-formed after a short break under the auspices of the De La Salle Social Club.

As the club grew in numbers independence from the De La Salle was encouraged and in October 1973 he, along with other members, set up Navan Athletic Club. 

He played a crucial role in the development of athletics in Navan, Meath and at national level.

After the opening of the stadium in 1981, he remained committed to the management of the venue. 

Meath Co Board (AAI) introduced an honorary president category in 2008 for a term of one year to recognise a person who had given a lifetime of service to the sport.

The late Robbie Byrne was the unanimous choice to hold that inaugural position.