Congratulations To Omagh Enterprise Client Claire Bowes For Winning The Spirit Of Ronan Kerr Award
Omagh woman Claire Bowes has spoken of her “total surprise” after receiving the Spirit of Ronan Kerr award at the half marathon on Saturday.
Claire Bowes (nee Gallagher) has overcome adversity on many occasions since being seriously injured and losing her sight in the 1998 bomb.
On Saturday her commitment to completing the 13.1 mile route was marked by becoming the fourth recipient of the accolade established to
commemorate the memory of the PSNI constable who was killed in a car bomb on the day of the event in 2011.
“To be honest, the award came as a total and utter surprise to me because I’m sure there were any number of worthy people who could have
received it,” she said.
“It was my first time to complete the half marathon, but myself and a few friends went around the course and just kept each other going when
things got tough.
“We also tried to cheer on and encourage the runners who passed us and the support of people along the route was amazing and a great help.
“The event was really well organised, so the work of Omagh Harriers definitely paid off. The atmosphere in the town and around the whole route was also brilliant.”
Claire, who runs the Omagh Music Academy in Campsie, described the feeling of crossing the finish line at Gibson Primary school as “a bit surreal.”
“There was a huge crowd of people cheering as we approached the finish line. The atmosphere was slightly surreal, but there was nothing to beat finishing,” she added.
“I found the whole experience extremely rewarding and it was great that so many people of all ages and abilities took part.”
Source: ulsterherald.com
