| Notes January 31-10 |
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19TH ANNUAL QUANTUM LIFE DUNGARVAN 10. COMETH THE DAY AND COMETH THE HOUR The day was January 31st 2010 and the hour was 1 pm when West Waterford’s premier road event of the year got underway at the new start line on the Youghal Road. The months of diligent planning and preparation had finally come to D-Day with close on 1,000 athletes from all four corners of the country and beyond assembled at the new start line for the first race in the John Buckley Sports Muster Classic and the second race in the Michael Roche Carpet’s Spring Series. It was truly a wonderful sight to witness so many athletes in the town and it was a fitting tribute to the effort and contribution of all the organising team for what can only be described as a top class race, a truly marvellous and memorable day for the athletes involved and the people of Dungarvan. The race headquarters at the Sport’s Centre was a hive of activity from early in the morning and shortly before 1 pm it was time for all to make their way to the start line where our race sponsor Mel Shanley of Quantum Life and the town mayor Cllr Damien Geoghegan got proceedings underway. The timing watches were ready, the clocks were all synchronised, the stewards were in place, the spectators were vying for the best view point and so at 1 pm sharp the starting gun signalled the start of what was to be a tremendous and thrilling race with some truly magnificent battles fought through the streets and by-roads of the town. Just over 50 minutes after the starting gun it was time to lift up the finishing tape to welcome home Sandis Bralitis of the host club as the 2010 champion of the Quantum Life Dungarvan 10 mile road race. Sandis is no stranger to this race as he himself held the current record leading into the race which he set in 2007 with a time of 50.08. Sandis toed the starting line again last Sunday with his intentions fully focused on reaching and breaking his own record. Indeed he was not on his own with this goal in mind as the high calibre of runners in Dungarvan last Sunday proved that there were plenty going to give it a go. The list of entered athletes made for impressive reading, all looking for a personal best time on what is now undoubtedly one of the fastest and flattest ten mile races in the country. The weather was fantastic and the conditions were great, every runners dream for a ten mile and I’m sure Sandis would have been looking for plenty of competition along the route to help him break the 2007 record. The start of the race saw two athletes at the helm and all that came out in support of the runners were not disappointed as it was a fantastic sight to see so many athletes make their way along the Youghal Road and Mitchell Street for the first mile of the race. It was Sandis and Shane Mullaney of Thurles Crokes who led out the pack but after 600 metres Sandis stamped his authority on the race outright and pulled away from young Mullaney with a very fast first mile which he clocked at 4.44. He was on for the course record but would have to maintain this effort to hit the target. By mile two it was certain that Sandis would record back to back victories as he was also last year’s winner but Sandis wasn’t concentrating on the victory, the course record was his priority now and the fact that his second mile was just over 5 minutes, 5.03 to be exact it meant that he was still in with a shot. It was a case of déja vu for Sandis as last year he only had the lead car for company as he clocked up mile after mile. It was beginning to look as if the course record would be that little bit outside of his reach with the next few miles all on the wrong side of 5 minutes, 5.08, 5.13 and 5.20 but in many races Sandis has proved time and time again that when the going gets tough, he responds by rising to the challenge and after half-way he was beginning to claw back the time he lost in miles three and four. For so many of us, the left turn near Bushy Park after the 5 mile mark was a great boost psychologically as not only were we half way through the race but we were also turning for home. This helped lift Sandis’ spirits as well and come mile eight the tension was starting to build as Sandis’ time and pace at this stage meant that he was only 20 seconds off target. His mile splits for mile 6 and 7 were 5.04 and 4.56 and mile 8 was 5.02. He was beginning to fade but as quickly as he did he mustered up the last bit of effort and power that he had in along the Cork road. It was clear that the sub 5 minute miles at the start of the race were beginning to take its toll and that coupled with the slight breeze in along to the finish saw Sandis reach the finishing line in a commendable time of 50.57, well clear of the field. The course record he set in 2007 is still intact for another year but Sandis can take solace in the fact that since he set that record he has been the only athlete that has come anywhere near reaching it and also in the fact that the 2010 race was his third such victory in the Quantum Life Dungarvan 10 Mile Road Race, an accomplishment some athletes can only dream of. Another reason that added to the cub’s delight with the race was that the top two positions were filled by our own athletes. Shortly after Sandis crossed the line it was Raivis Zakis who had the run of his life and it looked as if he was running for his life as Colin Merritt was hot on his heels and the two athletes fought tooth and nail to get to the line. Raivis was 5th last year and Colin Merritt was 3rd and they were both desperate to improve on their finishing positions from last year. As they rounded the final bend up towards the line Raivis upped the tempo one last time and this saw him finish two seconds clear in a time of 53.07. Raivis has been training steadily for the upcoming Senior Indoors in Belfast next weekend and to finish second in a top class field and on home turf is a sure indicator of his form at the moment. Colin Merritt of Carraig na Bhfear repeated his performance of 2009 by filling the third spot in 53.09. He may have narrowly lost out on second place but the slight change in the route this year meant that Colin’s time for 2010 was 12 seconds faster than last year. In fact, hundreds of athletes can relate to this with so many delighted with the course and the faster times. Many will think that it’s a misprint in the results for 4th and 5th positions as the same name appears twice. However, Brian Murphy of Iveragh AC was 4th in 54.04 and his namesake from Carrick-on-Suir finished in 54.36. Cornelius Marshall just managed to break 55 minutes, clocking 54.59 exactly and in doing so repeated his 2009 feat of finishing in 6th place overall. He was lucky to do so as he had competition for 6th place in the form of Graham Power in Ferrybank who finished just behind him. It was a treble performance for Cathal O’ Connell who finished first 0/45 for the third year running, he also finished in 8th spot in 2010 as well as 2009. Rising Sun athlete Georgie Waugh will be sure to be back in Dungarvan this time next year as a result of his great time of 55.06 and will be looking to be in the top ten once again next year. Declan Power of Clonliffe Harriers was the last athlete in the top ten and his average pace of 5.31 credited him with a finishing time of 55.11. The top ten overall were represented by 8 different clubs which is an indicator of the vast crowd in attendance on the day. There were 49 athletes that were under the magical hour for the classic distance of ten miles and commiserations must go to Tim Lucey of Bandon A.C., who was credited with 60.01 as his finishing time but he can take pride in the fact that from a field of over 1.000 runners he was made the top 50. This year saw a huge increase in junior male athletes, another testament to the popularity of the race. It was going to be a battle among all of them but in the end it was Michael Dowling of West Wicklow who claimed the honours in a time of 55.20. Congratulations to our own junior athletes, Ciaran Lane (61.08) and Declan Power (64.38). The success for the club didn’t end there. As with the individual titles to be won on the day, the contest for the team prizes was just as keen. Victory this year went Leeside as Leevale A.C. claimed first team prize with an overall score of 99 points. The individuals on the winning team were Owen Cummins, Tom Maunsell and Barry Donovan. West Waterford was once again called to the winner’s podium as for the second year they won second team prize. Training comrades Phillip Harty, Shane Power and Sean Stilwell had a combined total of 112 which saw them well clear of the third team, Waterford AC. Frank Quinlan, Brian O’ Sullivan and David Cunningham were the representatives of this team. SURE WIN FOR SIOBHAIN O DOHERTY OF BORRISOKANE The title of first female of the Quantum Life Dungarvan 10 Mile Road Race stays once again in the province of Munster after a decisive victory by Borrisokane athlete, Siobhain O’ Doherty. Anyone who witnessed Siobhain’s emphatic victory at the recent Senior Cross Country Championships where she literally left all the athletes in her wake wouldn’t have questioned for one second her ability to claim the honours in Dungarvan. It was also less than a year ago that Siobhain was once again Deise side when she competed in the tough challenge of the Marine Climb where she smashed the course record. She has proven herself as an athlete to be reckoned with in cross- country and on the road and even in Mountain running when she was the second Irish athlete home at the World Mountain Running Championships which were held in Italy last September. And so it was with all those recent victories and success under her belt that Siobhain made it to the Youghal Road to the starting line for what was to be the biggest road event ever held in the history of the town. She was the hot favourite on the day but in saying that due respect had to be given to the likes of Rhona Lynch and Angela McCann and many others who have proved themselves over a variety of distances in so many races. As was the case with the men’s race, Siobhain found herself up at the top and well clear of the chasing pack. Nevertheless, the classic distance of ten miles is never to be taken light-heartedly and Siobhain settled into a steady pace, content to run with the group she was in while at the same time ensuring her position. Without question, giving her current form Siobhain must have thought about matching the course record which was set last year by Limerick’s Rosemary Ryan in a time of 57.27. Indeed as time went on, it wasn’t a question of would she win but of how much would she win by and would she match or even break the record? Running out the Bog Road it looked attainable if the pace was maintained but easier said than done as many an athlete will testify to. The downhill before the canal was a welcome relief and an opportunity for us all to get back on track which is what Siobhain fought bravely to do. The chasing pack was a distant memory and full effort was on the course record but it wasn’t to be on the day for Siobhain. Being the leading lady, Siobhain was in the company of the other male athletes who provided much needed motivation for her and she stuck to the task in hand, refusing to let any gap widen and so it was that 58 minutes and 49 seconds after the starting gun had sounded that Siobahain was declared a most worthy winner of the Quantum Life Dungarvan 10. She was delighted to win and will be back to these parts in 2011 to have another attempt at the course record along with many others. It’s makes her win all the more impressive that out of a huge field of over 1.00 runners she finished in 39th position overall. Rhona Lynch of Eagle AC was the second lady home on the day with an impressive time of 62.04. This time would win many a ten mile race which stands to show the high standard of female athletes currently on the scene. Rhona had to work hard to claim second place as the ever improving athlete Angela McCann was close behind and working extremely hard to narrow the gap. Angela was 5th last year in a time of 63.14 so her 2010 time of 62.35 will see her well positioned in the John Buckley Sports Munster Classic. Fellow team-mate of Rhona, Anne-Marie Holland was fourth in 63.48. Corinna Walsh who was a member of the winning ladies team last year went one step better by winning an individual prize, one which she richly deserved given her gutsy performance on the day. She kept a nice even pace over the first half and when it was needed for the battle to the line she duly obliged by upping the tempo to win first 0/35, a clear 30 seconds ahead of Michelle Nolan of Middleton AC. Waterford’s Diane Behan was first 0/40 and Denise Compton of Dundrum in Tipperary was second in the same category. The ever resilient Mary Sweeney who never ever gives in took first 0/45 ahead of Claire Fowler of WAC. Teresa Tuohy of Bilboa beat Margaret Harty of Limerick in the 0/50 category and Alice Walsh claimed first 0/55. West Waterford ladies claimed the team prize with a score of 75 points and the winners were Norma Wall, Sharon Duggan and Triona Wall and the club were victorious yet again when Tara Roche won the junior ladies prize which she also won last year, hopefully it will be three in a row for Tara next year. CONGRATULATIONS AND THANKS TO LOCAL RUNNERS Firstly, the club would like to extend its congratulations to all club members that took part in the race last Sunday. As usual, we had the largest club representation on the day, an honour we have held in many a race outside of our own organised races and one which looks set to continue. We would especially like to congratulate all those that tackled the classic ten mile distance for the first time. Taking on your first ten mile road race can be quite daunting to say the least and by now you are all revelling in your achievements and effort, all the training and commitment was certainly worth while and no doubt you are all on the lookout for another challenge and have set next year’s date as a definite in the 2011 diary. Well done to all those that achieved personal best times on the day, it’s onwards and upwards for you now. All the local runners are to be commended on more than their run. With such a big event and a huge influx of other athletes and their families to the town, it was a case of all hands on deck with so many people to be catered for after the race. There is a lot of bread to be buttered to make sandwiches for approximately 1,500 and we weren’t found wanting in that department at all as the club members pitched in with sandwiches, cakes, tarts etc and all athletes went home well fed and in awe of the fabulous spread they had at the centre. As well as the race receiving some very favourable comments, the food and refreshments also came in for comment so thanks so much to each and every one of you, your help was invaluable and is truly appreciated by us all. THANKS TO YOU ALL Last Sunday’s Quantum Life Dungarvan 10 was a huge community effort involving so many people, a large club contingent was to the fore here but it also has to be said we were more than ably assisted by a huge local community effort by many not directly involved with the club. Combined it was a great day for West Waterford Athletic Club and indeed for the town. From the club’s point of view the work for last Sunday started many months ago with the initial planning for the event. This year we decided on an entry closing day two weeks prior to the race day itself and this was a wise decision as when entries closed we had almost 1.200 runners registered. When one looks at the growth of the race in recent years looking back to 2004 we had 328 finishers in 2005-405, 2006-427, 2007-516, 2008-700, 2009-896. This year we set our sights on over 1.000 and on close of entries we had reached just shy of 1.200 The huge effort by many people involved with the race last Sunday and those indirectly involved by giving of their time has made this dramatic increase in numbers participating possible. Our club road racing co-ordinator Gerry Cantwell and his team and the many others who were involved in the event, quite an amount of those who have no immediate involvement with our club but who gave of their time to help stage the perfect race last Sunday, which included many members of our friends in Dungarvan cycling club whom we especially thank. Our thanks once again go to our main sponsor Quantum Life and to Mel Shanley for his practical support through their sponsorship. Quantum Life came on board with us three years ago and we certainly hope that we will have them as our main sponsor for many more years to come. We thank Mel so much as despite being in the middle of a very busy rugby season, he came along to get the runners on their way from our starting line on the Youghal Road. Indeed we thank him for all his help in every way and wish him well in his business. Our thanks also to Dungarvan Town council, Waterford county council and Waterford Sports Partnership for their added support again this year. To town clerk Joe Flaherty and his staff especially Ray Dwyer and his team whose help was invaluable on race day ensuring that the course was in top order. To Tom Keith and John and Danny at Dungarvan Sports centre which was our race headquarters this year again, a big thanks lads. Thanks to Dungarvan boxing club for the use of their club Pavilion. Our deepest thanks go to them and especially to Paddy O’ Neill for all his help. We deeply appreciated the attendance of town Mayor, Cllr Damien Geoghegan who made himself available at the race start to meet and welcome all the runners who had travelled from all parts of the country. To our catering crew of which there were too many to mention, for all their efforts our sincere thanks and especially to all those who made the sandwiches and baked the cakes and bought the biscuits which fed the hungry runners. The post-race refreshments for many of the travelling athletes is now becoming the highlight of their day in Dungarvan. To all who donated to and helped to pack the Goodie Bags on Saturday, a big thanks to you for making yourself available. To Albert McGrath who looked after the goody bag items again, no stone was left unturned in giving value for money in this year’s goodie bag. Our thanks also go to GlaxoSmithKline and Micheál Callaghan for their generous sponsorship of the Lucozade Sport,also to Tipperary Water for their sponsorship of the water and likewise our thanks to club member P.J. Guinan of Supervalu in Carrick on Suir for his great contribution. To Flahavans of Kilmacthomas who got involved with the race for the first time this year, a sincere thanks to you. Thanks to the Order of Malta in Tramore for making the trip to Dungarvan for the event. There are many other people to thank for their help on the day especially all the stewards out on the course. What a superb bunch of lads and lassies who gave of their time last Sunday in the sunny but cool conditions for our club. Thanks especially to Tony Ryan who co-ordinated this most important function on race day and as we have said time and time again without our stewards we wouldn't be able to have the race at all. A sincere thank you also to Paddy Joe Dwane for his invaluable contribution to the race with the use of his truck and generator and likewise a sincere thanks to Liam Lannen for the use of his transport trailer also. Our thanks also go to our good friends in Ballinameela community hall for the use of their tables and like wise to Ned Ryan of Modeligo Community hall. Our local fruit merchants Johnny Lynch and Conor Lannon also played their part and their support was much appreciated. To all our registrars, recorders, and timekeepers, too many to mention- again invaluable work by you all, many thanks to Des Colbert and company who looked after the chip timing for the event and to all who were looking after the finish area, Tony and his crew on the P.A. and lead car, to Dirk Baumann for his superb sound system and music, to our friends in Waterford AC, many thanks for the use of your clocks and to Larry who brought them up. Thanks to those who looked after the water stations and for the great job they did in cleaning up the cups etc. I must also give special mention to two people for their work with the traffic management and practical help leading up to race day and on the day itself and that's Conor Norris and Jamie Mills. It was an early start for these two lads and their crew and they did a fantastic job. Our thanks go to Ciaran Geoghgean and Kieran Donnelly at Microchem for their practical help, to our motorbike outriders who did a great job, many thanks. To Andrea Gaffney for her ongoing help with the club web site and especially with the race details on the site, a fantastic job as always. We must extend our sincere thanks to Dungarvan Garda Station under Superintendent Tom O'Grady for their continued support with this and all our events, with special mention to our good friend on motor bike duty Garda Declan Walsh. Thanks also to Sergeant Gavigan and all the Garda on duty. Finally, a huge thank you must go to Ann Dunford who looked after all the entries and enquiries for the race and who sorted out the numbers and prizes for the race. This was a huge undertaking which involved countless hours behind scenes and which was done as efficiently as ever. And last but not least to our hard working secretary Norma Wall who put in a mammoth effort for the event. The race and the build up to the race was a perfect example of team-work at its best in every possible way and the club and the town were the envy of so many in what was produced and seen last Sunday and all that’s left to say is well done to you all and roll on 2011. ALL QUANTUM LIFE DUNGARVAN 10 MILE ROAD RACE RESULTS 1. Sandis Bralitis West Waterford 50.57 0/40 0/45 0/50 0/55 0/60 0/65 Junior Wheelchair Team Results: Ladies Results 1. Siobhan O’ Doherty Borrisokane 58.49 0/35 0/40 0/45 0/50 0/55 0/60 Junior Team: West Waterford Athletic Club (75 points) UNDER SPORTS WINTER LEAGUE ONLY THREE NIGHTS TO GO With the end now finally in sight, the tempo has been upped yet another notch in the final stages of the league. Different names are cropping up now at the top of the division tables and we even have some who moved down a position or two in the division tables last week claw their way back up which is making for a very exciting league to say the least. After tonight, we will be heading into the penultimate night so we will all need to maintain the effort for just that little bit longer. Once again the weather played its part in helping all the runners get to the line as quickly as possible, that coupled with the competitive edge that try as we might we cannot deny and so once again there were great performances from so many. As is tradition each year, we will have a mass start on the last night; this means that all the runners will start at the same time. Tonight and next week will have various starting times so please make sure to be at the centre in plenty of time as you really don’t want to miss your start, not this close to the end. MYSTERY TOUR Our Mystery Tour organiser has informed us that plans are well underway for the trip. It will be held on Friday night, February 19. We will be taking names tonight of all those looking to go on the bus. The cost is 5 euros and your money secures your seat. On the night in question, a bus will pick up all those going at the Stables Bar in Abbeyside and from there we will be ferried to the chosen venue at which the overall winner for both the long and short route will be announced along with all the other divisional winners. Places are limited so please get your name in as soon as possible. ANGELINE NOW IN THE LEAD Micheal O Cuirrin’s joy at being at the top of the leader-board was short lived now that Angeline Drennan has positioned herself at the top of the table. Angeline now has a ten point lead over Micheal and still it’s far too close to call a winner yet. In fact all those in division 1 are well in with a shout. Kevin Hickey who was relegated to fourth place two weeks ago turned the tables around and is now back up to third spot and he may very well go a step further tonight. The names have been juggled around in division one with two new entrants, Clare Walsh and John Leahy. The division tables have now been locked down which means that whatever division you are in now is the division you will stay in. That does not mean that the winner is guaranteed to come from division one, at the end of the day it’s the person with the lowest score that wins and depending on everybody’s performances over the final 3 nights it could be somebody from division 1, 3 or 3, it’s anybody’s guess at this stage. The following are the top ten in division one and first and second in the remaining divisions. Division 1 Division 2: Liam Budds (615) and Angela Bradatan (627) HOURIGAN IS STILL AT THE TOP. Week 10 resulted in Brian Hourigan maintaining his lead but moving up steadily on the league tables is the An Rinn contingent of Kelly Cantwell, Sinead de Faoite and Josie Ui Chuirrin so it will be all systems go once again tonight at the sports centre for them and all the other runners in the short league. It was a case of top effort for all runners in an effort to get to the line. You may be thinking that you can’t run any faster than you have done already but the next 3 nights will prove you wrong, guaranteed. It was a busy night for those at the finishing tunnel with a steady stream of runners arriving home. Minute 19 to minute 20 was hectic with Declan Hayes (19.07), Geraldine Barry (19.10), Paul Casey (19.11), Johnny Tobin (19.13), John Murray (19.14), Mary Dunford (19.21), Seamus Casey (19.24), Treasa Milmoe (19.33), Pearl Veale (19.35), Kelly Cantwell (19.39), Pat Fitzgerald (19.44), Sinead De Faoite (19.48), Josie Ui Chuirrin (19.48), David Lennon (19.49) and Mary Longan (19.59) and it will be just as busy tonight. The division you are in now is the division you will stay in until the end but the winner may come from any division, the person with the lowest points will be this year’s eventual winer. We have a whole new set of names at the top of each division again so a big effort from you all is what’s needed to keep you there. The following are the current top ten and the division leaders. Division 1 Division 2: Deirdre O’ Donnell (558) and Paul Casey (569) STARTING TIMES Both the long route and the short route will be split into a number of groups tonight. Please make sure that you are at the centre in plenty of time as you don’t want to miss your starting time this close to the end. LUCKY DIP PRIZES It was Ladies night last week with ladies picking up the lucky dip prizes in both the long and short route. Congratulations to Aine Lombard and Mary Dunford who were the lucky winners.
The club has several representatives making the long journey to the Odyssey Arena in Belfast this coming weekend. The Woodie’s DIY Senior Indoor Championships has an array of athletes competing and among them will be our top athletes, all looking for national honours and personal best performances. Competing in the Pole Vault event is the Houlihan trio of Liam, Thomas and Lisa along with Mark Bannon. Having won numerous awards as a junior athlete, Kate Veale has now moved into the ranks as a senior athlete and will be competing against fellow club-mate Zuzana Milikova in the walk with Jamie Costin competing in the men’s walk. James Ledingham will be looking for another great performance in the 800 metres and the last member of the West Waterford squad is Raivis Zakis who will be looking to beat his own record ain the 3,000 metres. We wish them all every success on the day. MICHAEL ROCHE CARPETS SPRING SERIES The Michael Roche Carpets Spring Series got underway with the Colligan Cup last Sunday week on January 24th and the Quantum Life Dungarvan 10 last Sunday. This series is a 4 race programme and requires entry to the series, it’s not enough just to the run the races in the series, you must enter the series separately which can be done at the Kilmac 5 mile road race. We took entries for the series at the Colligan Cup and we will be taking entry in Kilmac which will be the last date to enter the series. The remaining two races remaining are the Bausch and Lomb Kilmac 5 on Sunday February 21st and the Eason’s Dungarvan 10k on Sunday February 28th. More details on this next week. MALLOW 10 MILE THIS SUNDAY The second 10 mile road race of the John Buckley Sports Munster Classic takes place in the town of Mallow. This is a re-scheduling of the race that was cancelled on January 10. It will start at 12.30 and with a large crowd expected it’s advisable to get there on time. For those that have registered their details it will be 12 euros and in the case of those that haven’t it will be 15 euros. We wish all our athletes the best of luck. RUNNING QUOTE. Our sport becomes not just what we do but an integral symbol—on all levels—of who we are JOE GOUGH TAKES OVER 55 IN RAHENY 5. Joe Gough took part in the Raheny 5 last Sunday and a big field were present. Joe recorded a time of 29.09 winning the over 55 category, this was also Joe’s fastest time ever recorded over this distance running as a Master .All looks well with the fitness levels here for the coming season. Well done Joe. KATE VEALE WINS GARDA PAT NOCTOR SUPREME YOUNG SPORTS STAR 2009. Congratulations to all twelve monthly award recipients of the Prestigious |
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