Record tumbles as Sean Tobin sets the pace on the Streets of Kilkenny!

Members of the Kilkenny City Harriers club pose for a picture ahead of the start of the Streets of Kilkenny 5k

placeholder image — Members of the Kilkenny City Harriers club pose for a picture ahead of the start of the Streets of Kilkenny 5k

Clonmel AC runner scorched around the 5k course to take the top prize

It was a record-breaking night of athletics as Sean Tobin ran to victory in the Streets of Kilkenny 5k.

The Clonmel AC runner set a new course record as he scorched his way around the city streets, completing the two-lap course in 13:57 - smashing the 14:03 set by Dublin City Harriers runner Pierre Murchan in 2024.

Tobin led from the off, setting the pace as he sprinted down the Parade and on to High Street for the first lap. He carved out a solid lead, opening a good advantage over Colm Rooney which he maintained to the finish line.

The women’s race was just as competitive, with Michelle Finn of Leevale taking the spoils in a time of 15:55.

The race was another success for host club Kilkenny City Harriers, with the 1,000 entries selling out in record time.

“You could feel the energy in the air tonight, but to go under 14 minutes was absolutely incredible,” said race director Nicholas Dunphy of KCH. “We’re delighted for Sean Tobin. He came from Clonmel and took it on and set a new record on the Streets, which I think really does show what a great course it is.”

Men’s Top 10: 1 Sean Tobin (Clonmel AC), 13:57; 2 Colm Rooney (Clonliffe Harriers AC), 14:16; 3 John Benner, 14:31; 4 William Fitzgerald (Craughwell AC), 14:37; 5 Eoin Everard (Kilkenny City Harriers AC), 14:38; 6 Aaron Donnelly (Dundrum South Dublin AC), 14:38; 7 Luke Purcell (Nenagh Olympic AC), 14:42; 8 Adam Nason (Donore Harriers AC), 14:44; 9 Daniel Ryan Ellis (Nenagh Olympic AC), 14:43; 10 David Carter (Galway City Harriers), 14:44.

Women’s Top 10: 1 Michelle Finn (Leevale AC), 15:55; 2 Maebh Brannigan (Galway City Harriers), 16:04; 3 Faye Dervan (Dublin City Harriers), 16:07; 4 Jessica Coyne (Leevale AC), 16:16; 5 Maureen Brennan, 16:17; 6 Hannah Steeds (Leevale AC), 16:34; 7 Amy Greene (Finn Valley AC), 16:43; 8 Orla Duffy (Dublin City Harriers), 16:46); 9 Laura Cooney (Clonmel AC), 16:46; 10 Hannah Kehoe (Kilkenny City Harriers AC), 16:56.