31st ANNUAL FORDE’S DAYBREAK WINTER LEAGUE.
AND WE HAVE LIFT OFF WITH A PHENOMENAL NUMBERS IN ROUND ONE.
Round 1 of the 2025/26 31st Annual Forde’s Daybreak winter league saw a massive turnout of runners taking part for the first night of the league last Wednesday evening at Dungarvan sports centre Quanns. Our largest turnout in the 31 year history of the event was 436 and last Wednesday evening we had 470. It’s astonishing as to where the runners come from year in year out for this league but come they do and this year is off to the proverbial flier, our sponsor Kevin Forde got both leagues under way as is tradition on the first night as they go off in two groups short course first followed by the long course runners, the runners head off in two separated directions with short course taking in the Fr Twoneys Youghal road side while the long course takes in a trip to the Village Abbeyside . The winter league will continue for 10 more nights 6 before Christmas and 4 after Christmas with a 2 week break over the festive season. The weather wasn’t the very best when the first of the runners left the sports centre last week and by the time the last of them were home it had got quite wet, however this didn’t deter the record numbers who came along to the countries largest and oldest winter league on the Island of Ireland.A huge crowd of 290 took on the 5.2 mile long course last Wednesday evening and last year on the same first night we had 239. As a club we are delighted to be playing a big part in the fitness and wellbeing of so many people from the locality over the dreaded winter months and remember all are made welcome no matter what your level of fitness do come along and join in the phenomenal winter league. There was a massive record number also out for the first night last Wednesday on the short course when 290 took up the challenge, last year that number read 143, again a huge increase in the numbers of people coming along and joining in the fun , as they say records are made to be broken and that is what’s happening. Last year we had a record number who registered for the league when 382 took up the challenge, and last Wednesday evening just over 500 registered, Massive .Its brilliant when as a club we see so many coming along and running the league for the very first time, this was evident in round one with many new faces among the participants, it plain to see that younger adults are now getting way more proactive about their health and well-being as well as the older folk of course and where better to make that start than at the winter league where everyone is welcome and will be encouraged by all.As usual for the winter league, the first night was a mass start with all runners going off at the same time. From week 2, the handicap system will kick in and you starting time will be posted on Facebook on Tuesday and also on the wall posters when you arrive down to the sport centre. Remember to spread the word about the winter league and we can all help each other to get fit, stay fit and healthy over the winter months. If you haven’t registered to date you can still join us at any stage just enter online at eventmaster.ie and come to sports centre to collect your number. Hi Vis is compulsory for all runners. Your winter league number is the number you have for all of the entire league. It should be worn to the front, be clearly visible and secured with a pin in each corner. Also a huge thank you to all of our stewards out on the course and to all our crew in the hall and at the finish line. Best of luck to all tonight and why not bring as friend along.
TONIGHT’S ROUND 2 OF THE WINTER LEAGUE- PLEASE NOTE STARTING SYSTEM.
- Last week was a mass start but from tonight on, the league kicks in properly with everybody heading off at different times. There will be intervals between each group of runners tonight. Your starting time tonight will be based on the slowest time last week which means that the fastest person last week will be the last to head off tonight and the last people to head off will be trying to catch as many people as they can and those that headed off first will be trying not to get caught by those coming from behind them.
2.Clock will start at 6.40 sharp- it’s up to you to be there on time for your start.
- Your starting time for tonight will be posted on facebook on Tuesday please take a peep at Facebook and remember your starting time, We will also post starting time sheets on wall of sports centre. Whatever time is beside your name that is your starting time for tonight. If it says 2.00 that means when the clock reads 2 minutes you must start running, if it says 7 it means that when the clock reaches 7 minutes you must start running.
- New Comers -Running for the 1st time tonight on the short course will leave at 5 minutes and new comers running the long course for the 1st time will leave at 10 minutes.
- With a huge amount of runners at the league, it’s important that you are ready to start running when it’s your time to go, we will not be able to adjust the results for those that miss their starting time.
- Don’t forget your bring your running bib and number.
8.leave your watch at home
WINTER LEAGUE PARKING.
A huge number have registered for this year’s league, from a parking point of view there are ample parking spaces available at Scanlon’s yard, Strand Street and also at the look out. Each of these is only a short distance from the sports centre. We also ask that you refrain from parking in front of anyone’s house. We have a good relationship with the people living in the area and we would like to keep this intact.
MURRAYS CAREPLUS PHARMACY 30th ANNUAL BRICKEY 4 IN AID OF BRICKEYS GAA CLUB ON THIS SUNDAY.
Bushy Park GAA grounds is the venue for the 31st annual Brickey Run. Again this year we are delighted to announce that once again as they have now done now for many years Murray’s Careplus Pharmacy Dungarvan are to continue on with their sponsorship of the race we sincerely thank Elizabeth and all at Murrays Pharmacy for this kind gesture. The proceeds from this year’s race will be donated to The Brickeys GAA club. The race distance will be over a very flat fast 5k loop around the Brickey valley starting and finishing at Bushy Park GAA grounds. The race will get under way at 11 am with registration online and race numbers can be collected at the club house from 10.15 onwards . The Martin Curran Cup will be awarded to the first man on the day and the Jim Lyons memorial shield will be awarded to the first lady. The prize-giving will take place in the club house immediately after the race and refreshments will also be provided for all the runners. Online entries open now at eventmaster.ie.
34th ANNUAL JOHN TREACY DUNGARVAN 10 ENTRIES OPEN FIRST WEEK OF DECEMBER FOR AI MEMBERS.
First week of December entries will open to Athletics Ireland club members for the 34th Annual John Treacy Dungarvan 10 which will be held on Sunday February 1st 2026, with a start time of 11 am. Entries for all others, none club members will open on a few days later at Eventmaster.ie .West Waterford Athletic Club have announced details of the event which has established itself as a must run race on the Irish road running calendar with participants from all four corners of the country and beyond participating. The race has grown year on year and is a pre entry race which will close when 3,750 entries is reached. The John Treacy Dungarvan 10 brings together the ideal race combination of fun runners, joggers, club athletes and top class internationals who compete over a fast flat 10 mile course around the historic town of Dungarvan, we look forward to welcoming you to our town on February 1st 2026. So remember entries open first week of December for club AI members and all other entries will open a few days after.
All race details can be found at www.dungarvan10mile.org
CRUMLIN CHILDRENS HOSPITAL 2026 RACE BENEFACTORS.
West Waterford athletic club are delighted to announce our race benefactors for the 2026 John Tracy Dungarvan 10 mile road race Are Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin which is Ireland’s largest paediatric hospital, providing specialist care to children from all over the country. Monies donated by the runners and the club will be donated to this very worthy national cause. We are delighted as the race organisers to have chosen Crumlin Childrens Hospital as they offer world-class treatment across a wide range of medical and surgical specialties .The hospital is home to national centres for cardiac surgery, haematology, and oncology. Dedicated teams of doctors, nurses, and support staff deliver compassionate, family-centred care. Crumlin is also a leading centre for research and education in paediatric medicine. Every year, thousands of young patients receive life-changing care within its walls .The hospital’s mission is to ensure every child has the best possible chance for a healthy future.We hope that once again you will be generous and support this worthy cause. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
SOLAS CANCER SUPPORT CENTRE TO BENEFIT FROM 17th ANNUAL AN SEAN PHOBAL MEMORIAL TURKEY TROT.
On Sunday December 7th the 17th Annual Cleanzone Technologies Ltd sponsored Paddy Joe Curran Old Parish Turkey Trot 5 mile run and 4 mile walk will take place at the Marine Bar, Pulla, Dungarvan. All proceeds from this year’s event will go to the Solas Cancer Support Centre . The event is once again kindly sponsored by Cleanzone Technology Ltd of which were most grateful. The 4 mile walk will begin at 11 am, while the 5 mile run will get under way at 11.30. The Annual Paddy Joe Curran Memorial Old parish Turkey Trot was set up by the late Paddy Joe Curran in 2007. Unfortunately Paddy Joe passed away in 2011 . Paddy Joe dedicated his life to promoting athletics in the As Sean Phobal and An Rinn areas. After his passing a group of Paddy Joe’s friends came together with the aim of growing the event and raise funds for local charities in his memory. All proceeds from this year’s event go to Solas Cancer Support Centre . Registration online for 10 euro or on the day its 15 euro number collection from 10:30am on the morning at the Marine Bar located on the N25. Prize giving and refreshments will take place at the Marine Bar following the event. Please note there will be no mass start for walk. Once walkers have registered and signed in, they will be allowed to begin the event.
Registration Now Open
https://eventmaster.ie/event/Jw9vIpvHRk
ANGELA AND EVELEEN 2ND AND 3RD AT SANOFI 5 MILE ROAD RACE.
The annual Sanofi 5 mile road race was held last Sunday morning in perfect racing conditions from the factory grounds in Waterford city with a field of 290 runner’s competing and monies raised from the event were donated to Waterford branch of MS. Overall race winner was Harry Colbert Waterford AC in a time of 25.27 from team mate and last year’s winner Matteo Mary 25.40 The overall Ladies winner was Lauren Dermody Castlecomer AC 29.37. Club member Angela Tobin fresh from her exploits on the hills of Italy took the runner up spot in a time of 34.04and she was followed home by another West Waterford AC athlete who had a terrific run Eveleen Drohan in 34.26.
First club member home on the day was John Coffey who finished 4th in a time of 38.35,this was a big improvement for John as last year he finished 7th in 29.14 so great to see a big improvement over the 12 month period from John who was first in the over 45 category.Another who ran well was Sandra Moore who had a superb Dublin city marathon performance recently, she also showed an improvement from last year’s race in Sanofi when she ran a time of 39.47 from her time of 2024 which was 41.17.
Well done to all who ran
John Coffey 28.35
Niall Barry 32.29
Pat Fitzgerald 33.41
Angela Tobin 34.04
Eveleen Drohan 34.26
Jamie O’Brien 37.43
Noel Drohan 37.50
Conor Murray 38.35
Gráinne Moore 39.31
Sandra Moore 39.47
Helen Keating 41.31
Catriona Crowe 46.23
Onra Power 50.09
Pauline Drohan 54.18
