Notes July 11-10

GER WYLEY / NIKE SPORTS SUMMER SERIES RACE 8   

GLAXOSMITHKLINE 5

HUGE TURNOUT DESPITE THE WEATHER

The 11th annual GSK 5 race more than delivered on it’s high expectations with a great crowd, super organisation and a fantastic race in both the men’s and the ladies. The relatively strong breeze failed to die down by 8 pm for the start of the race but all the athletes got on with the job in hand and a super race was provided for one and all. The race might have started at 8 pm for the athletes but it was the culmination of many weeks of work behind the scenes for many of the staff at GSK and they are all to be commended for an excellent job and this attention to detail at the race is what brings runners back to this race year after year and the big turn out last Friday despite the inclement weather is testament to this. Thanks so much to Dermot Dwyer, Denise Regan, Micheál Callaghan and Michael Verling and the many other volunteers that gave of their time and effort on the night and the weeks leading up to it. The GSK race chooses a worthwhile charity each year to receive the proceeds of this race and this year they choose two charities, the local branch of GROW and also to local man Des Foley who works with a hospital in the Lebanon for deaf and dumb children. Both Sr. Gertrude who represented GROW and Des spoke to those gathered after the race and thanked all the runners for supporting the race and the charities. As is the case every year, the generosity of GSK knows no bounds and when the race entry fees was totted up after everyone was entered GSK increased the total amount to 4,500 euros which was an ever so generous gesture so thanks once again. The usual goody bag and t-shirt were on offer for all the runners and a fabulous array of prizes was awarded to the numerous prize-winners after the race. Plenty of food and refreshments were provided after the race in the soccer club where the prize-giving was held. Another feature which adds to the popularity of this race is the abundance of prizes and no less than 42 prizes were awarded last Friday night. This included individual prizes as well as category prizes and it didn’t include the numerous spot prizes which were also presented on the night so thanks once again to GSK for providing all the prizes. The standard in the race was of the highest, and the proof is in the reading of the results with 31 runners breaking 30 minutes for the distance which included the ladies winner Martina O’ Dwyer who was the only female to do so on the night. West Waterford athletic club had a huge turn out of members taking part when 105 club members participated in the race which is a truly remarkable turn out from one club. We must also take the opportunity to thank and congratulate all who came along and walked the course; you helped in no small way to make the night the success that it was.
 
WEST WATERFORD TO THE FORE WITH 1-2-3

The overall winner of the 11th annual GSK 5 was West Waterford’s Sandis Bralitis. It was Sandis that set the course record for this race in 2008 and try as he might last year he failed to break it and in fairness the wind that prevailed last Friday night would have put paid to anyone’s ambitions to break course records. It was hard to pick a race tactic even, as to go fast for the first mile to make up for the time lost particularly out the Cork Road might have a negative effect on your mile splits over the latter stages of the race so for many it was a case of going with the flow. No sooner had the starter’s gun signalled the start of the race when there was an immediate breakaway group of Raivis Zakis, Brian Muphy, Sandis Bralitis ands Rory Moloney. Sandis was very much the pre-race favourite and stamped his authority on the race with 4.55 for the first mile. Raivis had beaten Brian Murphy at Ras na Rinne but Brian managed to turn the tables around when he beat Raivis at the Dromana race so this guaranteed a battle between these two talented athletes. While Sandis was content to edge slightly ahead the two lads had to keep a close eye on each other as both would need to give it their all over the last mile. Sandis clocked 5.14 for the second mile which gives some indicator as to the wind factor on the night and his third mile was 5.21, great running indeed but the failure of all the runners to record even splits for a relatively fast and flat course again proves that the conditions were not exactly in the runner’s favour. Sandis recorded 5.08 for the fourth mile which saw him heading out the bog road past the glass factory with a considerable gap between him and the others. Even at the 4 mile mark it was too close to call who would eventually fill second and third with Raivis and Brian still battling it out with Rory Moloney further behind. The clock read 25.39 as Sandis crossed the line a clear winner and over the last mile Ravis put down the boot to advance clear of Brian Murphy and finished 8 seconds ahead of him. Rory Moloney filled the fourth spot and he himself had just 8 seconds to spare over Dzintars Klava of West Waterford and GSK. And so the course record of 24.34 is intact for yet another year but knowing Sandis when the night is right he will set another record and it may very well be the GSK race of 2011 which will be even bigger and better. Of the 15 male prizes awarded on the night, 9 were awarded to West Waterford athletes and as well as that we had 4 athletes in the top 5 overall positions which is a great credit to all the athletes, even more so given that it was the case in 2009 as well. The club went one better this year as we had 7 athletes in the top ten and Declan Power, one of the club’s rising junior stars had the run of his life and was a clear winner of the junior category with a super time of 28.58, well done to all.

MEN’S RESULTS

Sandis Bralitis  West Waterford AC 25.39
Raivis Zakis  West Waterford AC 26.05
Brian Murphy  Carrick AC  26.13
Rory Moloney  West Waterford AC 27.00
Dzintars Klava West Waterford AC 27.08

0/40
Johnny O’ Connor  West Waterford AC 28.45
Martin O’ Keeffe Youghal AC  29.09

0/45
Martin McCarthy West Waterford  28.48
Noel Curtin  Youghal AC  29.10

0/50
Tom Byrne  Waterford AC  30.13
Gerry Cantwell West Waterford AC 32.14

0/55
Maurice Boland Clonmel AC  34.21
Paddy Power   West Waterford AC 37.04

0/60
Michael Hennessy West Waterford AC 38.58

Junior
Declan Power   West Waterford AC 28.58

O’DWYER ON FIRE AT GSK

The ladies race was far from predictable as the men’s as the arrival of Muriel Cummins, the top form of Martina o’ Dwyer of late, the ambition of Angela McCann to break 30 minutes who was also last year’s winner meant that no-one could clearly pick a definite winner at the start line. Indeed, even when the race had started it was a case of cat and mouse over the first mile or so. Martina was at the helm over the first few metres followed by Muriel and not too far away was Angela. Shortly into the race however, Martina wisely let Muriel lead it out and set the pace  which was the order of the runners descending the hill at Booreenarua and it was at the one mile mark that Angela who had moved up nicely now decided to take charge with Martina and Muriel keeping a close eye on her. The fast first mile however took its toll on Muriel and that coupled with the wind out the Cork road meant that she was no longer in the reckoning for the top spot and the battle was between the other two. Angela led out the race from there on in, ever so anxious to break 30 minutes as she had never done so and GSK has the reputation for great times. Incredibly, although Angela had never recorded a sub 30 for a 5 mile race she has been under 30 minutes at the 5 mile mark at a ten mile race and so was determined to go home with the results sheet reading sub 30 minutes. Martina O’ Dwyer had broken 30 minutes in Carrick lately and so she was looking to record a double so it was a battle of wills along the course. Angela was leading from mile 1 to mile 4 but close behind was Martina who was looking for the right opportunity to assume control and so she bid her time and closed the gap while climbing Booreenarua and when they made the right turn onto the Kilrush Road Martina decided that it was time and when she passed out Angela and found no response from the tiring athlete she accelerated as much as she could over the last half mile and so was a clear winner in a time of 29.52, a remarkable time given the conditions. Credit must go to Angela McCann who battled valiantly in her attempt to break 30 minutes and was most misfortunate to be just 4 seconds outside of her goal but on any other night she would have done so. Muriel Cummins of Kilgobinet was third on the night with a time of 30.47.Club secretary Norma Wall once again proved that she is in top form with another great performance finishing an excellent fourth in a one of the best Ladies fields ever assembled for a road race in these parts,Norma clocked a time of 31.26 which equals her personal best for the distance, There was a great battle between many of the Waterford AC ladies on the night which pushed them all into recording great times and so it was Cait Caulfield of Waterford AC who filled the fifth position in 32.05. Of the 16 ladies prizes on offer, West Waterford athletes received 7 of the prizes so well done to all.
LADIES RESULTS

Martina O’ Dwyer  Carrick AC  29.52
Angela McCann Clonmel AC  30.04
Muriel Cummins  Individual   30.47
Norma Wall   West Waterford AC 31.26
Cait Caulfield  Waterford AC  32.05

0/35
Corinna Walsh  West Waterford AC 32.32
Sylvia Malone  Waterford AC  33.58

0/40
Diane Behan   Waterford AC  32.15
Ann Dunford  West Waterford AC 36.00

0/45
Liz Nolan   Waterford AC  34.32
Mary O’ Keeffe  Youghal AC  35.25

0/50
Bernie Prendergast West Waterford AC 37.03
Ann Moroney  West Waterford AC 46.16

0/55
Helene Hayes   West Waterford AC 43.42 
Terry Gough   West Waterford AC 48.21

Junior
Kate Nolan   Waterford AC  37.59

DAVID AND CAITRIONA FIRST GSK FINISHERS

The race within the race for the first Glaxosmithkline finishers was keenly contested as it is every year with many great performances all round.  It was a most successful night for the GSK athletes considering the fact that it had 3 employees in the top three overall, Sandis, Raivis and Dzintars and so the pressure was on for the title of first GSK runner outside of the individual prize-winners. This year the title went to David Cunningham who ran the course in 29.23 and he finished in 19th place overall so well done to you David. Next up was Dermot Ryan in 30.50, and then Kieran Russell in 33.13, Ray Burke in 33.43 and finally Anthony Dwyer in 34.45. The first female GSK employee was Caitriona Kiely who covered the 5 miles in a time of 40.43.Second was Denise Nugent in 45.51 who was followed by sister Sharon in 51.11.

RACE ORGANISATION

 The organisers of the race, Glaxosmithkline, would like to thank all who supported the race, both runners and walkers. All helped in raising a significant amount of money towards the two charities.  These were GROW-World community mental health movement which was represented at the race by Chris Mulcahy and St. Gertrude and the second charity was Friends of FAID Ireland-The Father Andeweg Institute for the deaf in Lebanon which was represented at the race by Des Foley. Race committee member Micheal Callaghan spoke on behalf of G.S.K. and thanked all his fellow race committee members who were involved with the organisation of the race. He spoke glowingly of the support and co-operation of GSK when it comes round to sponsoring such an event and he thanked them for rounding up the proceeds to €4,500. The employees and management alike are to be congratulated for this gesture and they were delighted to hand over the substantial cheque to this years chosen charities. Micheal also thanked Sodexo, the catering company who sponsored the goody bags for the runners and the walkers.
The organisers would also like to thank all the stewards, time keepers, recorders, Dungarvan Crystal sports centre and Dungarvan united football club, and all our own crew headed up by Gerry Cantwell our very efficient road racing coordinator, who ensured the smooth running of the race. Thanks to Tony and Michael on van duty, and a special thanks to Conor Norris and Jamie Mills for their help ensuring the road was safe for the runners and walkers on the night. A word of thanks also to our overall sponsors of the series Ger Wyley sports and Nike; thank you for your continued support of the local athletics scene.

NEXT RACE IN SERIES
The Doocey’s Bar sponsored Ballymacarbry 5 mile road race which is race 9 of the summer series will be held on Friday, July 30th at the earlier time of 7.30 pm. This race attracts a great crowd as the race offers plenty of variety as part of the race takes in the wooded area along the Nire Road. The entries will be taken at the local Community Hall where showers and changing will also be available. The entry fee is the usual 8 euros with prizes in the usual categories.

PAUL BRUNNOCK WINS THE ATHLETE OF THE MONTH FOR JUNE

Congratulations to Paul Brunock who was the recipient of the club award for the athlete of the month for June. It was a keenly contested month with Paul finishing on 8 points, the exact same score as Trevor Walsh who has regularly been in the top 5 since the start of the year. When two people end up with the same score as has happened on numerous occasions, victory goes to the athlete with the highest score from the previous month and in this case it was Paul who had a very high tally of 11 points for the month of May so well done to you Paul. Aside from Paul and Trevor, Mark Cliffe, Ann Dunford, John Foley, Caitriona Kiely and Triona Wall had 7 points and a further 15 more athletes finished on 6 points which shows how close it was. Next week we will provide you with the top ten overall positions taking all the months into account so far. Just remember that it’s your responsibility to inform Norma Wall (087 9385965) if you take part in a race so that you will be allocated your points.

MUNSTER MASTERS TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS

The date and venue for the above event have now been finalised and it will be held on Sunday August 1st as previously reported but the venue has been changed to Cork IT from UL as was originally scheduled. The entries need to be in with either Ann or Norma by Wednesday July 21st so have a look at the events as outlined below. Please note that you are limited to doing 4 events plus a relay and with regard to the field events with the exception of the High Jump it’s your best of four attempts. Ann (086 0619711) Norma (087 9385965)

TIMETABLE FOR MUNSTER MASTERS TRACK AND FIELD EVENT

11.00  Hammer (Men)

11.30  4x 100 Relay
High Jump (Men 0/50)
Long Jump (Women)
Javelin (M 35-45)
Hammer (Women)

12.00  1,500 metres
 High Jump (M 35-45)
 Shot (Women)
 Javelin (M 0/50)

12.30  100 metres
 Discus (M35-45)
 Javelin (Women)

1.00  High Jump (Women)
Long Jump (M 35-45)
 
1.30 3,000 (Men)
 Discus (Men 0/50)

2.00 400 metres
 Long Jump (Men 0/50)
 Shot (M 35-45)

2.15 3,000 (Women)
 Shot (Men 0/50)
 Discus (Women)

2.45 200 metres
 56lb Distance (M 35-45)

3.00 800 metres
 56lb Distance (M 0/50)

WOODIES DIY NATIONAL SENIOR TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS.

WEST WATERFORD ATHLETES WIN NATIONAL SENIOR MEDALS.

The Woodies National track and field championships got off to a great start Saturday for the club at Santry stadium Dublin despite the inclement weather conditions the rain and wind didn’t deter two of our young guns Kate Veale and Zoe Scanlon at 16 and 17 years respectively winning medals in  their first Senior national outdoor track and field championship’s. Kate was taking part in the 5.000 walk the very first event on the two day programme and without the world silver medallist Olive Loughnane in the field through the effects of a tummy bug it was likely that the gold would come down to either Kate or Mohill’s Laura Reynolds who had beaten Kate in the indoors national championships in Belfast in February. With both athletes well clear of the field and together with 2 k remaining Kate made her decisive move upping the pace and drawing away for Reynolds over the next 200 meters, she drew further away to the line clocking an impressive 22.55.90 a new national Junior and youth record for the 5.000 meter distance. Laura Reynolds was well clear of the third athlete to taking silver in 23.41.79 and 3rd  in the bronze position was Rachel Conlon of Sligo AC 28.57.12.Also in the morning slot on Saturday Zoe Scanlon  was in action in the Discus, Zoe again in very difficult conditions took her first Senior medal a bronze with a throw of 37.38 with Deidre Murphy Leevale 42.05 winning silver and Claire Fitzgerald of Tralee Harriers claiming gold with a super throw of 44.78.This was a huge step up in competition for Zoe but she handled the extra pressure without a bother it will give her a big boost now for the future which is a bright one for her.Zoe was also in action on Sunday this time in the Shot finishing 6th here. All in all a great experience competing at senior level for all our junior’s as they make their way along the road in the sport and into the Senior Ranks. On Sunday European track and field championship’s bound Jamie Costin recorded another superb time in the 10.000 meters walk when smashing a magic 40 minute barrier in style clocking an impressive  39.43.11.This great walk earned Jamie a national silver on the day with the gold medal going to his Irish team mate for the 20k in Barcelona Togher’s Rob Heffernan 39.07.21 Both Jamie and Rob were well clear of the field from an early stage in the race with the Cork man opening up a lead on Jamie over the final couple of  k to take victory the bronze medal went to Brendan Boyce Letterkenny AC in a time of 42.54.66.James Ledingham reached the final of the 800 meters through the heats on Saturday but he will be somewhat disappointed with his run in the final on Sunday when clocking a time of 1.55.75.David Mc Carthy flew back from England to race the 5.000 meters in Santry on Sunday and he clocked a very good time of 14.13.12 to finish 4th and just out of the medals on this occasion. Raivis Zakis also did a double header the weekend and was in the same race as David on Sunday Raivis finished 21st here in the large field with a time of 15.37.86 and on Saturday he ran the 1.500 heats but he failed to reach the final, Our final competitors over the weekend were the Houlihan family Thomas, Laurence and Martin all taking part in the Pole Vault. Thomas faired best of the brothers when finishing 4th with a vault of 4.40 with Laurence and Martin 5th and 6th respectively both clearing 3.60 meters. All in all some good performances at this level for our athletes and one thing for sure there’s no easy medals at the nationals. One aspect of the weekend which will be looked at by the club is the entering of athletes who fail to turn up for their competition, Entry fee’s are a huge financial strain on most clubs these days and some of our athletes seem to think that it’s all right to ask to be entered and then not to bother to turn up on the day. Well this is not the case and it will be address by the club committee at the next opportunity.

AMBER PETROLEUM FIT4LIFE LEAGUE

AMBER LEAGUE PROVES MOST ENJOYABLE FOR ALL

The Friary College was the place to be once again last Tuesday evening as we held the second night of the Amber Petroleum Fit4Life running league.  This is the league where we invite participants to estimate how long it will take them to complete 1, 2, 3 or 4 laps around the grounds of the Friary playing fields.  This was only the second of 8 nights completed to date and the remaining 6 nights will be on July 13th, 20th, 27th, August 3th, 10th and 17th.  You are more than welcome to come along and join in the fun on any or all of the remaining 6 Tuesday nights of the league.  The time is 6.45 and the place to be is the Friary College for the next 6 Tuesdays.  See you there.

MICHEÁL GETS IT ALL RIGHT ON THE NIGHT

The winner this week was one of the organisers of the Glaxo Smithkline 5 Mile Road Race, Micheál Callaghan.  Micheál kept his head when all around him were losing theirs and kept his even balanced pace right to the finish line and crossed just as the clock reached zero. Well done Micheál.  James Veale joined Micheál on zero while Richie Power (0.01), Onra Power (0.01) and Anna Ballott (0.01) were all extremely close. Just on the wrong side of the clock this week and very unlucky was Tom Leahy (0.01), Brigid Coffey (0.01) and Pat Earley (0.01).  If you were close this week well done and if not better luck next week, it could be your week.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TABLE

After 2 weeks of running the Champions League Table is beginning to take shape, at the moment we have joint leaders so the next few weeks will be very interesting.  For the record the top 10 is as follows:

NAME                                 POINTS
ANNA BALLOTT   56
ONRA POWER   56
TOM LEAHY    45
CAROLINE LENIHAN  38
KATE ORGAN   38
LIBBY MC GINN MURPHY 38
AOIFE WALL   36
PADDY POWER   36
ADRIAN FITZGERALD  35
LIAM SANDFORD   34

DAVID MC CARTHY RUNS SEASONS BEST 1.500 METERS IN ENGLAND.

West Waterford’s David Mc Carthy was chasing that European 1.500 meters qualifying time last week and competed in a BMC event in Solihull last Saturday finishing in a seasons best time of 3:41.56 David was just hundreds of a second outside the Athletic Ireland qualifying mark for Barcelona, however this time is inside the European qualifying time set for the championships. So hopefully now he will get the nod and be picked for the strong Irish team for two weeks time.

WEST WATERFORD AC CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP

The West Waterford AC club championships competition is drawing to a close with just two events left the Ballymac and Ardmore 5 milers. The leaders after last weekends GSK  event are unchanged from the Ras Na Rinne 6 and this is most likely how the table’s will remain at this stage with the overall Men’s award going to  Sandis Bralitis and the Ladies to Norma Wall.
 
Tables to date.

Male 
Senior Bralitis, Sandis
Over 40 O'Connor, Johnny
Over 45 Hayes, Martin
Over 50 Lyons, Colin
Over 55 Deegan, Michael 
 
Female 
Senior Wall, Norma
Over 35 Wall, Triona
Over 40 Dunford, Ann
Over 45 Whelan, Ann
Over 50 Prendergast, Bernie
Over 55 Hayes, Helene
Over 60 Gough, Terri

CHI RUNNING WORKSHOP FOR ABBEYSIDE

A Chirunning work shop with the one and only Irish athletics legend Catherina McKiernan who is a Master Chirunning Instructor for Europe will be held at the Complementary Health Clinic & Fitness Studio Tournore Abbeyside on Saturday August 7th next and for all running enthusiasts it’s a day not to be missed. So what is Chirunning. Well as it says on the label “Chi Running takes all of the pounding, pain and potential damage out of the sport of running”. How? By using the best technique for effortless injury free running. It Improve’s your running technique and cut’s out the threat of injury. You can enjoy your running with correct posture as thought to you by Catherina and become a member of the tens of thousands of people using Chi running worldwide, So who is it aimed at well Chi running is aimed at all levels of  runners and joggers of all ages and ability. The days course will be on Saturday from 10am to 5pm.For bookings and details; log on to Catherina’s own web site www.catherinamckiernan.com or telephone her at Tel: 087 2100013 or locally Irene Clare of The Fitness studio in Tournore will also answer any of your queries if you’d prefer and Irene can be contacted at  086 8242348  remember to book early its sure to be booked out quickly.

MORRIS OIL PILTOWN 10K

The popular Outfield Sports Three-Counties Summer Series moves to county Kilkenny on Friday next, July 16th, with the staging of the third Morris Oil Piltown 10k race. Piltown is about three miles from Carrick-on-Suir just off the main road to Waterford. The race will start at 7:30pm at the main entrance gates to Kildalton Horticultural College. The first mile and a half of the race route will be within the scenic grounds of the college. After leaving the college, the race continues in the direction of Fiddown and completes a left-turning loop over quiet country roads before returning to the college grounds and finishing on the main avenue. The course provides an excellent opportunity of achieving a PB for the distance- last year's winner, Sergiu Ciobanu, clocked a time of 30:33.
Race registration (from 6pm ), parking, post-race refreshments and prize-giving will all take place at Piltown GAA Club's complex which is across the road from the race start. Entry costs 10euro.Chip timing will be used and there will be prizes in all the usual categories as well as many spot prizes. For further information contact Mark Connolly, Carrick AC (086-1608165)
The fourth and final race in the Outfield Sports Series will be the AutoPower Rathgormack 5mile race in on Friday, August 6th at 7:30pm.

RUNNING QUOTE.

Running uphill makes you a faster runner on the flats. Hills build strength, and make the flats feel easy!