Irish Runner.com spoke with Keith Kelly and his coach Ray Treacy a fortnight ago asking about his plans for the Irish Inter Counties cross-country race among other topics.

Their response in unison was, "Let's see how the Mayor's Cup race goes and we'll decide from there."

On a grand fall day in Boston, Kelly proved that he's in fine form. The Drogheda lad missed all of last year to injury. While he's been known for patience during a race, that same patience didn't translate well waiting for the niggling upper leg injury to heal. Kelly admitted that he probably came back a bit fast a few times last year much to chagrin of Treacy.

Back to the Mayor's Cup which took place on 27th October in Boston, Massachusetts.

Kelly, who runs for New Balance AC didn't want a slow, tactical race - the goal was to test his fitness on the 8-kilometre course. Kelly, the 2000 NCAA Cros Country Champion took an early lead and continued to widen the margin between himself and last year's champion, Sandu Rebencivc of the U.S. Army, over the duration of the race. After running closely with Rebencivc, Paul Reilly (Loughrea, Co. Galway) and American Olympian Mark Coogan for the first mile, Kelly passed the 5-K mark in 14.55, at which point he led Rebencivc, by 12 seconds. Kelly went on to win uncontested in 23.48, a half-minute of runner-up Rebencivc (24.28).

Kristin Chisum (New Balance AC) won the women's 5k race in 16.40. Another Irish runner showing fine fitness after injury is Kilkenny's Sinéad Delahunty-Evans who placed 7th in 17.33.

Orla O'Mahoney (Ennis, Co. Clare) was 23rd in 18.28. Providence grad, Stephanie O'Reilly (Wicklow) was 25th in 18.33.