Notes November 23-09

Despite the atrocious conditions experienced last week for the league we still had plenty of newcomers sign up for the league and if the type of weather we had last week didn’t stop you then it’s fair to say that nothing will. In total we had a grand tally of 259 athletes who braved the elements in the long and the short routes. The numbers for both leagues were almost the same with 131 in the long run and 128 in the short run. The starting times were different to that of other weeks with both the short route and the long route both split into 2 groups which had the positive effect of making most of us run faster in spite of the conditions. Tonight we will be going off in 5 minute intervals which also helps push you along. With tonight being the 5th night of the league, all athletes are well used to the workings of the league and by now you probably have a fair idea as to how the league works. In a nutshell, the winner is the person who improves their time the most over the course of the league. Your starting time each week is based on the fastest time you have done so far. If for example you run 50 minutes in the long run and then you record 52 minutes the following week, your starting time will be based on your time of 50 minutes. This applies to all runners in both routes. Also, the person each night that is first past the line is not the fastest person but the person who has the most improved time. It’s possible that you could have the slowest time on the night and still be first past the post. Including tonight there are 5 nights left until Christmas so there’s plenty of running to be done between now and then. The bypass is full each week night with runners getting in an extra few runs and this certainly makes all the difference. It’s best to aim to knock off a little bit each night and you’ll find as the weeks go by it does get easier. Well done to all those who turned out on such a bad night. There were plenty of those relatively new to running that were there and it certainly proves that you all have definitely got the running bug, its official! It’s never too late to join the league, the more the merrier. We cater for all types of runners and this league is designed with the beginner in mind so if you haven’t joined yet, what are you waiting for? It would be great to see you at the Sports Centre any Wednesday night at 7 pm where registration takes place. Goals are all the more attainable as long as we know what we are trying to achieve and so many are now running times that they would never have thought possible a few months ago. Make your New Year’s resolution that little bit earlier this year and make a trip to the winter league, you’ll be glad you did. Don’t forget to bring your bib with you, for safety reasons all runners must wear a reflective running bib in order to be seen on the roads. See you at the Sports Centre. 

JOHN GREY IS ON HIS WAY 

Top marks to John Grey in the long route who really pulled off a tremendous performance last week to record 40.01, down from 44 minutes the previous week. This is all the more remarkable given the conditions. For his efforts he was one of the best improvers on the night and this will serve him well on the division tables. John was the 18th finisher on the night and so won the lucky dip prize for the long route. Well done John. John was not alone in posting good times as the competition was fierce to say the least in getting to the line. The wind at the lookout failed to thwart the efforts of the runners over the final stretch and despite so many saying they would be happy to just get around given the weather there were many like John who were pleasantly surprised with their times. Libby McGinn Murphy has gone from 53.57 in the second week to 48.21 last week. A night with good conditions should see her break 48 minutes with ease. Mark Nugent recorded 52 minutes even for the week two and already has it whittled down to 47.52. James Connors will soon be dipping under 40 minutes for the route and well done to Helene Hayes who was well under the hour for her first night back at the league after winning team silver medal at the Dublin City Marathon. Michelle O’ Connell who was the second lady home at the recent Brickey run was under the hour for the second week in a row. There were plenty who were under the 50 minute mark last week and among these were Gerry O’ Connor, Joy Hearne, Eileen Heffernan, Caitriona Kiely and Caroline Russell and no doubt the list will be longer after tonight. As the weeks go by the positions on the division tables change regularly and the points between the runners gets closer and closer. The current leader after 4 nights is Christopher Murphy who has a 15 point lead over John Leahy who in turn has a 13 point advantage over Thomas Condon. From there on its single digits between the scores as Ray Burke and Liam Power are both just one point behind Thomas with Adrian Fitzgerald just another four points in arrears. After tonight this will all change again and it could very well be you. 

 

RAY POWERS INTO THE LEAD 

Over the last couple of weeks Ray Power has been at the top of the division tables and after last week’s run he is still holding onto a considerably large lead over Clive Kiely. Clive himself has a 4 point lead over Zak Fitzgerald with Dean Wall and Olive Cosgrove filling fourth and fifth places respectively. As with the long route, the positions will change regularly and so the top five after tonight is anybody’s guess. One of the contenders for the best improver tonight may well be Louise Moloney if last week’s run is anything to go by. Week 3 saw Louise clock 30.03 and I would imagine that she was hoping to dip under 30 but her determination saw her cross the line in 26.52, great running indeed Louise. Sinead O’ Shea will be delighted with having run a minute faster and Darren O’ Droma is discovering some of his old form to run over two minutes faster and was just under 20 minutes for the distance. Annice Ni Chionnaola wasn’t prepared to settle for 28 minutes which is clear by the fact that she clocked under 26 minutes last week. Just 5 seconds faster tonight will see Sinead De Faoite and Josie Ui Chuirrin dip under 24 minutes and a mere second will see Maria Uniacke dip under 28 minutes. Mary Dunford will soon reach 20 minutes as will Brian Hourigan, Paul Grey, Pat Fitzgerald, Eda Costin, John Power, Brid Ui Chadhla and Treasa Milmoe. Keep up the good work everybody.

STARTING TIMES/MP3 PLAYERS/FINISHING TUNNEL 

All runners tonight will be put into groups with five minutes between each of the groups. Your starting time as usual will be on the wall in the hall downstairs. Please remember to register upstairs first. The beauty of going off in large groups is that it provides the incentive to stay with the other runners in the group with the end result being that you manage to run a faster time. Try not to fall into the trap of going off too fast as half way around you’ll start to feel the effects and not be able to maintain the pace. Easier said than done I know but give it a go and see the difference for yourself. We all want to have something in the tank over the last mile or so as everyone is trying to push on and get to the finishing line first. On a more serious note, it has come to our notice that some people are wearing mp3 players but this is strictly against policy as it’s in breach of the safety regulations. Runners need to be able to hear the instructions of the stewards at all times, please comply with this request. 

 LUCKY DIP PRIZE WINNERS 

The winners from last week were the 18th best improvers on the night and the honours went to John Grey in the long route and Annice Ni Chionnaola in the short route. Just let us know at the desk tonight when you are registering and you can collect your prize. 

We will be taking entries for the Quantum Life Dungarvan 10 mile road race on January 31st every night at the winter league up until the closing date which is January 18th. It’s only 9 weeks away this Sunday which won’t be too long coming around so don’t put it on the long finger-get your entry in which will leave you free to concentrate on your training. 

The Munster Masters cross country championships are down for decision on next Sunday November 29th in nearby Fethard and the following are the West Waterford teams entered: Ladies-Corinna Walsh, Ann Dunford, Josie Ui Chuirrin and Bernie Prendergast. Men-Trevor Mason, Kenneth O’ Donnell, Conor Murray, Harry O’ Brien, Des Feeney, Johnny O’ Connor, Pat Dunford, Yevgeniy Chizhikov, Joe Gough, Michael Wade and Richie Power.

 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 

Our Annual general meeting will be held at 8.30 pm on Thursday December 10th in Minnie’s Bar Abbeyside. Any motions to the meeting need to be sent to club secretary Norma Wall 101 Páirc Na mBláth, Ballinroad, Dungarvan, Co.Waterford. 

Last Tuesday evening at Jury’s Hotel in Cork “Mr Ballycotton” John Walshe was finally honored for his immense contribution to the world of athletics when he was awarded the Cork City Sports Athletics award for the month of October. It is surely safe to say that John Walshe is as worthy a winner as any of the great athletes who have been honored at this event in the past. Speaking at the lunch reception in Jurys, Evening Echo Sports Editor John McHale told the gathering that in all his years as Editor he had not come across a more humble and obliging person as John Walshe. John Walshe has been organising road races in and around his beloved Ballycotton for decades. As a race organiser he is regarded by everyone as an athlete’s man and no step is left unturned by him in his efforts to ensure that everything possible is done to make their racing experience the best ever. John is probably best known throughout the length and breadth of Ireland as the organiser of the famous Ballycotton 10, a race that was there long before the running boom began, and a race that has grown in stature year after year, so much so that there are now entry limits, and that limit is reached within hours of the entry forms becoming available. Evening Echo Editor John McHale was glowing in his address about John Walshe, as was Cork City Sports Chairman Dick Hodgins. In reply John Walshe said he was honored and humbled to be the recipient of this prestigious award, following in the footsteps of Derval O’Rourke in September and Olive Loughnane in August. He thanked everyone for the award as well as his family and friends who had supported him so well over the past 30 years. Many in the athletics world will feel that this one was a long time coming and it is welcome and just that John would be honored in this way by his beloved Cork, To say that he has been a good friend to West Waterford would be an huge understatement as he was a guiding light for all especially in the early year’s of our clubs existence we like all the athletic family throughout the country and beyond congratulate John and we extend our thanks for his help and friendship over the decades. 

 To be a consistent winner means preparing not just one day, one month, or even one year—but for a lifetime. 

 West Waterford Athletic Club extends sincere Sympathy to the family of Maurice O Brien, High Road and Shayan, Ballyduff Upper, Who passed to his eternal reward last weekend. May he rest in peace. 

 Andrew Ledwith (Fr. Murphy’s AC) won the senior men’s race at the Woodie’s DIY Inter County Cross Country Championships at Kilbeggan last Sunday. In what were incredibly difficult race conditions, Ledwith finished in a time of 29.45minutes to take the gold medal and guarantee his place on the Irish team for next month’s European Cross Country Championships in Dublin.Ledwith was involved in a tight race but made his break with two laps to go and ran out comfortable winner ahead of Sean Connolly (Tallaght AC) and Mark Kenneally (Clonliffe Harriers).Incorporated into this race was the men’s under 23 and here the club had two competing Padraig Healy and Ciarán Lane, Both Men ran well with Padraig finishing a creditable 17th and just in behind was his team mate Ciarán in 18th place. In The Ladies Senior race Mary Cullen of North Sligo won in a time of 26.43 minutes ahead of Deirdre Byrne (Sli Chualann), Linda Byrne (Dundrum South Dublin) and Fionnuala Britton (Sli Chualann). The Junior Men’s race was won my 2008 Paralympic Gold medallist, Michael McKillop (St. Malachy’s) who strode to victory ahead of Liam Trimble in second with Creche Ryan of Cork third. One of the country’s most promising athletes, Ciara Mageean (Lisburn AC) dominated the Junior Women’s race finishing 20 seconds ahead of Laura Shaughnessy (Loghrea AC) in second and Emma Mitchell (Banbridge AC) in third.Elma Nugent made a worthwhile trip home from across the pond for this Junior race and she took a well deserved bronze Waterford county medal when taking a top 20 finishing position in 19th place also on the Waterford team were Niamh Ryan 7th,Beth Walsh 16th and Grainne Brennan 27th . Full results: Senior Men: 1st: Andrew Ledwith (Fr. Murphy’s AC); 2nd Sean Connolly (Tallaght AC); 3rd Mark Kenneally (Clonliffe Harriers) Senior Women: 1st Mary Cullen (North Sligo AC); 2nd Deirdre Byrne (Slí Chualann); 3rd Linda Byrne (Dundrum South Dublin) Under 23 Men: 1st Michael Mulhare (Portlaoise AC); Under 23 Women: Sara Treacy (Moynalvey AC); Junior Men: 1st Michael McKillop (St. Malachy’s); 2nd Liam Trimble (Metro St. Brigid’s); 3rd Ryan Creche (Cork) Junior Women: Ciara Mageean (Lisburn AC); 2nd Laura Shaughnessy (Loughrea AC); Emma Mitchel 

 At a press launch and photo shoot last Wednesday evening at Dungarvan Sports Centre, West Waterford Athletic Club announced details of their 19th Annual Dungarvan 10 Mile Road Race, sponsored again in 2010 by Quantum Life. In the presence of deputising Dungarvan Town Mayor, Cllr Ann Marie Rossiter, Mr Mel Shanley, of Quantum Life (sponsor) announced his continued support of the event and said he was delighted to be associated with such a well organised race. Mel mentioned " I have been in the financial services industry for over 17 years, and for the last number of years using companies like Quantum Life I have specialised in the area of capital protected pension and investment products. There is no need to take a chance any more with your pension or investment policies, and it certainly doesn’t make any sense to invest money into something that has no capital protection. This area is very technical but quite simple when explained by an expert, and many people that have availed of this expertise are now looking forward to positive returns for their investments and pensions”. West Waterford’s Club Secretary, Norma Wall, thanked our loyal sponsor and spoke of how the race has grown hugely in recent years with a large increase in the numbers participating year on year. Adding to the popularity of the race is the fact that it is race number two in the popular Michael Roche Carpets Spring Series and also race number two in the John Buckley Sports Munster Classics. Norma said the event has now become a must run race on the Irish road running circuit and is attracting participants form all four corners of the country and beyond. The club’s road racing coordinator Gerry Cantwell announced some very important details about this year’s race. The Quantum Life Dungarvan 10 will take place on Sunday 31st January 2010, starting at 1.00pm. Gerry went on to say that with the increase in numbers participating the organising committee have decided that the race will be a pre-entry event only with an entry cut off date of Monday January 18th 2010. No entries will be taken after this date and no entries will be accepted on race day. The race headquarters will again this year be at the Dungarvan Sports Centre located at Quanns in the town centre. Tom Keith, Centre Manager, who was also in attendance at the launch, spoke of his delight at being involved in such a successful event. The town’s sports centre is the hub on the day for this popular event. Along with the key sponsors of the race Quantum Life, West Waterford Athletic Club are delighted with the local support from the towns governing bodies Dungarvan Town Council and Waterford County Council. Deputising Town Mayor Cllr Ann Marie Rossiter spoke of how the local authorities are delighted to be involved with the race. West Waterford Athletic Club have not alone put the club name to the fore in the athletics world, but also the club have done good for the town and local businesses, hotels, B&B’s, etc, all benefiting from such an event. Indeed Cllr Rossiter went on to speak of the many races that the local club hold over the year all bringing a huge influx of people to our beautiful town. Mel Shanley finished by saying that the event brought 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 and as sponsors we look forward to an even bigger and better event on January 31st next. 

 RACE DETAILS. 

There will be a total prize fund of €3000. The first man and woman will receive €400 each with an additional €250 bonus for breaking the course record.Cash will be on offer to all category winners and everyone who takes part in the event receives a dry fit running shirt and a substantial goodie bag. Last year’s event attracted a top class field and was won by Sandis Bralitis West Waterford AC who finished the race in 51.36 .Rose Mary Ryan of Bilboa AC collected a hansom cash bonus recording a new course record 57.27 when taking the Ladies title.The entry fee to this prestigious race is €20. Entry forms can be obtained from the West Waterford club website by logging onto www.westwaterfordathletics.org or alternatively you can register online via the same website. Participants are asked this year to note that the event is a pre registration race only with the closing date for online and postal entries Monday January 18th. All race numbers will be posted out the week prior to the event, and there will be strightly no race entries on the day. Teas, sandwiches, showers and changing facilities plus the presentation of prizes will all take place at Dungarvan Sports Centre. The course for this year race will remain the same starting at the Youghal Road, The course is a very flat fast course and is noted for the personal best times recorded by many. With the recent surge of interest in running for health, fun and fitness in the country presently, a big turn-out on the day is guaranteed. With the success of West Waterford’s ‘Fit4Life’ running leagues and groups along with the country’s longest running winter league which aims to introduce newcomers to the sport and to the fun of running, the race organisers are particularly keen to see as many of these Fit4Life group members as possible take part in the race on Sunday January 31st . Along with all the above and the elite field expected, it should be a really great day for athletics in our town and there will definitely be a place in this race for everyone. We’re really looking forward to seeing runners of all standards and our promise is that everyone will be made welcome. Remember get your entry in before January 18th . For further information please contact James 086-8184762 or info@westwaterfordathletics.org l (Banbridge)