The race, as is usual, was very well organised by Pat and his small band of helpers whom we thank for all their work on the night. Thanks to Butlerstown G.A.A. club for the use of their pavilion for registration and changing facilities. Our thanks to the club officials on the night, Bríd and Gerry Cantwell, Bernie Wade, Michael Tutty, Michael Dunford and Jacinta Sheil. I must also mention that we have found a new computer wizard in Megan Hayes who did a terrific job.

Thanks to all  the others who helped in any way with stewarding etc. Thanks to the Holy Cross Pub for the use of their premises for the prize presentation and to the Ladies who made all the sandwiches for the runners many thanks. 

This years winner was West Waterford's Sandis Bralitis in a time of 31.31. Sandis broke clear of the field from the gun and ran his trade mark race from the start leading from gun to tape. Sandis is, of course, the current titleholder for the summer series and has to be odds-on favourite to retain this crown with two wins from two starts this year already.

West Waterford also filled second spot when Raivis Zakis who is running superbly at present was clocked at 32.24. Dzintars Klava made sure of a West Waterford one –two –three when he came home third in a time of 33.25. From a West Waterford prospective there were good performances from many athletes, to mention a few. Sean Stilwell, Billy Maguire, Tom O'Brien, Liam Cuddihy, Jim Duhig, Dermot Ryan, John Falconer, Liam Sandford and Liam Crowe. Well done to participants.
                                        

MARY SWEENEY THE QUEEN OF THE ROAD CONQUERS.

St. Finbarrs Mary Sweeney, the countries uncrowned Queen of Road Running, came to Butlerstown last Saturday evening and was a decisive winner of the ladies race, posting a splendid winning time of 39.31. Mary finished well up the field in 43rd place overall. The Youghal lady now living and working in Cork city, without doubt has more road races not alone ran, but won than any other Female athlete in the country bar non. Mary has done it all, track, indoors, outdoors, road, cross country  and even hill running. The amazing thing about the jovial Cork Lady is the fact that she running as well now at the tender age of 45 plus as she was 25 years ago.

In second place,  running an excellent race also and making the winners rostrum for the first time was Waterford AC's Mary Burke 42.02.Third Lady home was club mate of  Mary's, Brenda Lowe in 42.15. Good to see Brenda among the winners this year as she is also a great supporter of all our events.

West Waterford athletes to run well on the night included Joan Navin, Inese Melne, Tracy Dwyer, Sheileann O'Donoghue and Marie O'Gorman. Next race in the series Bausch and Lomb Waterford to Tramore 7 mile road race Saturday May 19 th 7.30 pm.

TEAM EVENT.

In the team event in Butlerstown last Saturday evening, which was picked on the computer handicap system, first place went to the team consisting of Liam Power, Dennis Kelleher and Stephen Elliott with 189 points. The second placed team were Martin Hayes, Justin Coonan and Ray Moore on 204 points. And the third team award was won by the team consisting of Gerry Cantwell, Donal Breslin and Bernie Power with 219 points. There were plenty of down the field spots also presented on the night.

GER WYLEY/NIKE SUMMER SERIES OFF TO A FLIER.

BIGGEST ENTRY TO DATE FOR SERIES.

The Ger Wyley Sports/Nike summer series of road races hosted by West Waterford AC has drawn a record entry already with only two races of the ten-race programme completed. We had 98 register on the very first night at the Marine Climb and a further 35 registered in Butlerstown last Saturday night and many more are expected over the coming weeks as we progress in this years series. If the first two races are anything to go by where we had record entries in both races, it's shaping up to be a summer series equalled by none.

The club and the sponsors are delighted with the increased numbers participating in this series which shows that the popularity of the event and the variation of races and distances is bringing more and more from the locality and indeed from outside Waterford county into our events. Much thanks for this must go to our hard working club committee and members and of course our road racing section headed up by Gerry Cantwell also the various individuals and clubs who look after each of the ten races dotted around the county.

Without the very kind sponsorship and goodwill received by the club and each race on its own merit we wouldn't be able to hold these events either, All in all it means the success that the club is currently experiencing is a huge team effort by a huge amount of people, well done to all.

GER WYLEY SPORTS/NIKE SUMMER SERIES RACE NO

38TH ANNUAL WATERFORD –TRAMORE PADDY FLANAGAN MEMORIAL ROAD RACE ON SATURDAY MAY 19TH.

The oldest road race in the South East, now in its 38th year, the annual Paddy Flanagan memorial Waterford to Tramore 7 miler takes place Saturday evening May 19 th with a 7.30 pm starting time. The race keeps the traditional course starting at City Hall and finishing at the Majestic Hotel in Tramore. A new development to this years race is the announcement of a new sponsor in the guise of Bausch and Lomb Waterford who have kindly come on board to sponsor the event for the first time. We must also take this opportunity top thank Waterford Crystal for there kind sponsorship of the race over many years past.

All athletes please note that entries for the race will be taken near city hall from 6.15. Showers and changing facilities are available at the Tramore G.A.A club house and the presentation of prizes will also take place there. Entry to the race is 7 Euro, the usual prizes will be on offer this year very kindly sponsored by Bausch and Lomb to whom the organisers are very grateful. Mrs Mary Flanagan wife of the late Paddy will again this year be in attendance as she has for the last 37 years to present the prizes and to present her annual special prize to the athlete whom she picks as worthy of a special award on the night.

" LEG IT TO THE MINNIES LEAGUE"

The Minnie's Running League was due to get under way last night Tuesday at St. Augustines college (by kind permission) and if early indications are anything to go bye a huge crowd will have taken part. The league will be on going for the Months of May and June with a mass start each evening. Regular runners and beginners are all most welcome, registration each evening will start at 6.15 pm.

Minnie's Bar, Abbeyside is generously sponsoring the league. Everybody over 16 years of age is welcome to participate. Come along and enjoy the months of May and June running with West Waterford athletic club. Entry fee each evening will be 2 Euro and divisions will be in operation in the league, Participants are requested to park at the rear of the college.

CLUB TRACK AND FIELD NEWS

MUNSTER CHAMPIONSHIPS ON MONDAY.

All roads lead to the Cork I.T. Track on this Bank Holiday Monday, May 7th for the Munster Junior and U/23 Track and Field Championships.   The Club will be represented in both age groups. Any athlete in need of transport to Cork please contact, Tony or James.

The following are the club team participating.

Rory Moloney Junior 1.500 Meters S/Chase.

Mark Shalloe Junior 1.500 Meters S/Chase-800 Meters.

David McCarthy Junior 3.000 Meters.

Aoideen Ashe Junior Discus.

Seán Stilwell under 23 S/Chase.

Padraig Healy under 23 1.500 Meters-3.000 Meters.

Sineád Crotty under 23 1,500 Meters.

Patrick Palmer, Michael Devine, Thomas Houlihan, Aisling Fennell, Emma Dunne , Siobhan Brackett -  All  for the pole vault.

2ND ANNUAL ADULT SPORTS FRIDAY MAY 11TH.

THE WEST WATERFORD PENTATHALON.

A reminder to all this week of our 2nd Annual Adults sports in St. Augustines College, Abbeyside on Friday May 11th at 6.30 PM. This sports meeting is open to everybody over 16 years of age. The sports aims to cater for Beginners and Regulars, Juniors, Seniors and Masters. The events are 100 meters, 400meters, 1 mile, shot put and long jump. And 1 mile cycle race.

The aim is to take part in all events for which you receive points based on your finishing placing but there is no pressure on anybody to take part in an event that they are not comfortable with.

This proved to be a great night last year with lots of fun had by all and we expect the same this year. So please come along and have a bit of crack with West Waterford AC. A pair of Nike runners will be raffled among all non-prizewinners with the winners of each category receiving prizes.

West Waterford A.C. wish to thank the following local businesses that are sponsoring the clubs Pentathlon sports night.

Alberts Newsagents

M.T. Motors

Dungarvan Grass Cutting

Richie Power Scaffolding

Keane and Power Drinks

Please support our sponsors when the opportunity arises.

MASTERS TRACK AND FIELD NEWS.

Michael Tutty and Ann Dunford are presently recruiting what is turning out to be a very strong Masters team for the upcoming Masters Track and Field championships in Castleisland Co.Kerry on Sunday May 27th next. If they have not been contacted and you are interested in taking part on the day please contact either Ann or Michael A.S.A.P.

Remember this is the clubs only call on our Masters for the entire track season so do come along if at all possible. We are currently Munster Masters overall best club at these championships and we do intend to hold onto this title. Come on wear the singlet do it for the pride of your club.

RUNNING QUOTE.

“Tomorrow is another day, and there will be another battle!”
 Anthony Dwyer.

TWO FROM TWO FOR RAIVIS AT  "STRIDE BY THE TIED" IN YOUGHAL.

The second Annual B.H.A.A. organised Stride by the Tide in Youghal took place last Tuesday evening and a huge turn out of 218 runners took part despite the atrocious weather conditions

 The inaugural and aptly named Stride by the Tide 4 mile race on the beach in Red Barn was won last year by club man Raivis Zakis and he was at the starting line to defend his title along with a nice number of his West Waterford Club mates.

As said already the race is organised under the flagship of the Cork B.H.A.A.and local Youghal running club members Noel and Geraldine Curtin who spearheaded the committee and organised the event, which was kindly sponsored by the Quality Hotel at Red Barn. Held over a very flat two lap beach course from the off, three athletes went well clear of the pack, namely Raivis Zakis, Seán McGrath and Colin Merritt. All three were locked together right up till the final half mile when Raivis with the help of a tail wind sprinted away from the other two leaving them battling it out for the minor placing.
Raivis reclaimed his title in a time of 21.30 with Merritt second 21.34 and Mc Grath third in a time of 21.38. It was great to see one of the all time road running greats of Irish athletics Noel Berkley make an appearance and he finished 5 th in 22.22 after a tough battle with no other than West Waterford Sean Stilwell who finished 5th in 22.34.Another great run from Sean who really is mixing it with the best out there now.

Philip Harty is making steady progress and he is improving nicely. He ran a time of 24.19.Eamon Phelan ran a time of 25.45 and is in good shape at the moment. The above three took second senior team at the event.

Others to run on the night from the club were Ray O'Riordan 28.42, Gerry O'Connor 29.19, Pat Morrissey 29.39, Pat Connaghton 31.21, Josie Uí Chuirrin 31.30, and Ray Murray 34.27. Well done to all for supporting the race on such a dreadful night.

TERRI GOUGH COMPLETES LONDON.

Well done to club member Terri Gough an her completion of the recent London Marathon. Terri who is a regular visitor to the English capital on Marathon weekend completed the course in a time of 5.28, as did her husband James. Another one down folk's, well done.

THIRTY-SIX AT FIFTY FOR ANTHONY.

Birthday greetings this week go to popular club member Anthony Dwyer who reached the half-century during the week. Anthony celebrated the occasion in style by taking part in the Butlerstown 10k on Saturday evening before retiring to Minnie's for a gathering of family and friends to mark the occasion.

He might be moving into the higher end of the Masters age categories, but there's plenty more running to come from the adopted Abbeyside man who is a  veteran of no less than 36 marathons. He has another planned for Cork this June. I predict he will go on to reach 40 marathons before he moves into the next Masters age catagory. Well done our kid.

COMMITTEE MEETING.

Next committee meeting will be held on Wednesday May 9th in Minnie's Bar at 8.30 pm.

BALLYGOWAN 10K.

The Annual Ballygowan 10k organised by Clonmel AC. will take place on next Sunday May 13th at 2 pm. The prize fund in Clonmel is very impressive for those who will be competing there with 200 Euro going to the winner of the Men's and Ladies race.

There will be presentation packs to the first 300 entries on the day. Entry fee is 10 Euro at Clonmel High School Sports Hall.