Ledwith turns screw at Woodie's

Lindie Naughton

Andrew Ledwith of Fr Murphy's beat Raheny's Mick Clohisey to win the Woodie's DIY National Half Marathon in Crettyard, Co Laois.

It was a repeat of the previous week's Rockford Roof Times 4-Mile race where Ledwith also beat Clohisey. The Meathman was a clear winner, finishing in 69 minutes 10 seconds, with Clohisey 41 seconds adrift. In third place was the defending champion Joe McAllister of St Malachy's. Last year, McAllister ran 65.51 for victory. This time he finished in 70.04. With Cillian O'Leary fourth and Mick Traynor fifth and first master, Raheny were clear winners of the men's team title.

In the women's race, Letterkenny's Maria McCambridge had six minutes in hand when she crossed the line in 76.15. Raheny's Lorraine Manning was second while in third place, Catherine Conway was leading Mayo to team victory over Shamrock.

Raheny was having a good day, also winning the master women's team title and finishing third in the men's event.

Noble path is just perfect in Ballina

Gavin Noble made it three from three when he won the Irish Sprint Triathlon Championship title at Lough Key, Ballina.

A day earlier, Noble had won at the TRI3 Series finale in Kilrush. That followed his victory at the Gatorade Dublin City Triathlon a week earlier. Noble was pushed all the way by Conor Murphy with only a second separating the pair at the finish.

First woman was Aoife Lynch of Pulse in 1.16:34.

At the World Duathlon Championships in Edinburgh, Bryan Keane was forced to pull out through illness. Paratriathlete Cat Walsh won her category while Enda Smyth was fourth. Kelly-Anne Speight was third over-20 and Ellis Connery third over-25.

Business as usual for Firhouse 10k

Although it has the new name, Saturday's Grant Thornton BHAA 10k in Firhouse (11.0) is much the same as in previous years. Registration and race HQ is the Firhouse Community Centre from 9.30am, with entry €10 for BHAA members and €15 for guests. For the first time in a BHAA race, chip timing will be used.

p Want to sign up for the BHAA? Register at www.bhaa.ie for an annual fee of €15. Also taking place on Saturday is the Adamstown 10k in Lucan, with fun guaranteed for all the family. Entry is €15.

Big entry is expected for Bohermeen

Andrew Ledwith is expected to lead a big entry at Sunday's Rennicks and Delaney Cups 5-Mile road race in Bohermeen, Co Meath (2.0). The race, on a nice scenic route, caters for runners of all standards from Olympians to fun runners. A special T-shirt goes to the first 250 entries. Enter online at www.runireland.ie or text 086-7260777; entry on the day until 1.30pm.