The Newcastle 5k opened the Road season in the County for 2018 and attracted a very good entry on a day when athletes had to contend with strong winds. Right from the start a group of three athletes set the pace with Colin Ryan of West Waterford along with Liam Shanahan of Thurles Crokes and the eventual winner, Tony Fogarty of Templemore. They were still together as the approached the uphill stretch to the 2k mark. Then on the return journey the pace picked up and soon Liam Shanahan and Tony Fogarty moved clear of the chasing pack. Then as they approached the village Tony upped the pace and came home a worthy winner in 17 mins 20 secs with Liam 2nd in 17 mins 25 secs and Colin 3rd in 17 mins 58 secs, great running in such conditions. In the women’s race Dympna Ryan of Dundrum ran very well to win in 19 mins 14 secs when finishing 8th overall with Aine Roche of Clonmel 2nd in 20 mins 3 secs and Jacqueline Hughes of Thurles Crokes 3rd in 20 mins 24 secs. The Men’s Master category award winners were 1st over 40 Pat Cormack of Ballynonty AC in 19 mins 14 secs, 1st over 45 Niall O Ceallaigh of Clonmel in 20 mins 25 secs and 1st over 50 Willie O Donoghue of Mooreabbey Milers AC in 18 mins 54 secs. The women’s master category prize winners were 1st over 35 was Rachel Prendergast of Ballymacarbry in 36 mins 43 secs, 1st over 40 Suzanne Shine of Clonmel AC in 20 mins 55 secs and 1st over 45 was Aine Keating of Newcastle in 23 min 59 secs.