Notes November 09-09

It was all systems go at the Sports Centre last week for round two of what’s becoming the most popular league in its 16 year history. More than 350 people have now signed up to the league and last week saw a total of 318 runners run in both the short route and the long route. The figure for the second week last year was 291 so numbers are well up.  The exact figures were 154 runners for the short route and 164 for the long route. Generally, the number of those doing the short route is more than the long run but the large numbers that took part in the short route last year but who have now moved to the long route has changed things around. Hopefully now with two weeks under your belt you are all beginning to understand how the league works. Basically, all runners are trying to run a little faster each night and the winner is the person who improves the most on their time at the end of the league. The first night was a mass start whereby everybody started running at the same time and last week everybody went off in 30 second intervals. Each runner’s starting time was based on their run from the previous week so if you were 15 minutes faster than the slowest time on the night, then your starting time was 15 minutes after that person. Theoretically, if all runners were to run the same time as the previous week then we would all cross the finishing line at the same time but in reality some of us will run faster, some will run a lot faster and some may run slower. The first person to cross the line each night is the person who has improved the most on that particular night and for their efforts will receive just one point, the overall winner will be the runner with the least points. The second person to cross the line is the person with the second best improved time and will receive 2 points and so on down the line. All runners will be going off in 30 second intervals once again tonight. Please remember to register upstairs first and then go down to the hall to find out your starting time. As already stated, your starting time each week will depend on your run from the previous week and so it will vary from week to week. We were most fortunate with the weather once again so fingers crossed for another great night of running. There is still plenty of room for more to come along; it’s never too late to join. Registration begins each night at 6.45 and we ask that all newcomers come along in plenty of time in order to be issued with a number. 

ANTHONY SHASBY IS FIRST PAST THE POST IN THE SHORT ROUTE

The results from the short route are phenomenal to say the least and if the improvement made by the runners in just one week is anything to go by I’d say it’s going to be a cracker of a league. Not only were the numbers way up from the previous week but some runners were minutes faster than the previous week. That’s the beauty of running, the progress that can be made in such a short time by anyone is incredible and it’s easier to get accustomed to than any other sport or exercise. Already, we see some of you fitting in another night or two during the week and this will really pay off in the not too distant future. Out of all the 154 that took part last week it’s a safe bet to say that the vast majority of you made considerable improvements from the previous week with the newcomers proving to be well up for the challenge. Well done to Anthony Shasby who was first to reach the finishing line and this super run will see him start well behind the rest of the field tonight but it’s a challenge he seems well capable of. Gavin Whelan, Laura Regan and Billy Coleman were the next three to cross the line and from there on it was a steady stream of runners passing the line with not even a second separating some of the athletes. It’s great when you have somebody to run with as it certainly keeps you motivated along the way and no-one knows this better than Carol Walsh and Lisa Hurley. Both girls accompanied each other for week 1 and clocked 35.19 and 35.21 respectively and week 2 saw the same two girls reduce their time significantly to 33.14 each, this was a super effort and no doubt we’ll see more of the same tonight. Ursula Browne also knocked a minute off for last week and Carol Tobin was almost a minute and a half quicker as was Michelle Dwane. Hats off to Olive Cosgrove who pulled out all the stops to run 4.5 minutes faster and so was rewarded with 20 points and as it’s lowest points is best she has gotten off to a dream start. Others to impress were Marie Murray and Kim Coffey (25.15) Sheila O’ Brien (23.27) and Esther Whelan (23.28), Deirdre O’ Donnell (27.08) and Paula Reddy (27.09). Many of these started at the Friary Leagues this summer and are now taking the winter leagues in their stride. It’s a good idea especially for all those fairly new to running to take a look at your time from last week and aim to knock a few seconds off, difficult to judge without a watch all-right but as the weeks go by you will feel fitter and stronger and it won’t feel as much as an effort. For all those of you that are walking a bit and jogging a bit, stick with it! When you do start running, make sure that it’s a gentle jog as opposed to running as hard as you can. If you run as hard as you can you’ll only be able to keep it up for a few seconds but if you just break into a gentle jog you will be able to sustain that for longer and you will cover more ground quicker. Try it and see! Don’t forget your bib and your number and should you have a friend or two that hasn’t yet come along bring them with you as well, see you at the sports centre tonight.             

JIMMY FITZGERALD LEADS THE 6 MILERS HOME

First home for the 6 milers last week in a time of 41.54 was Jimmy Fitzgerald of Clashmore who is certainly no stranger to the winter league. He was followed home by the ever improving Micheal Callaghan who has had a great season running-wise. Micheal clocked 43.44, well clear of Padraig O Hartaigh who crossed the line in a time of 44.22. The other two athletes that complete the top 5 on the night were Darragh Duggan (45.17) and Martin Hayes (45.35). A grand total of 170 athletes took part in the long route and just like the short route runners there was considerable improvement in the times posted by all. It’s interesting to note that there were 13 runners over an hour on the first night and for the second night this number was reduced to seven and undoubtedly this will be reduced once more tonight. The way the handicap system works encourages us all to improve each week as those going off first want to get as far as they can without anyone passing them out and those going off last are trying their best to catch all those ahead of them. We will be going off in 30 second intervals again tonight. Just a gentle reminder to all those new to running-try not to go off too fast as the route is almost 6 miles and should you go off too fast you will tire very early and it’s a long way home. Try to go off at around the same pace as you normally do and then when you’re not too far from home you can push on and as the weeks go by you can push the pace a little earlier each week. Noleen Kiely Dalton had a super run last week to record 55.08, a huge improvement on her time of 59.23 from week 1. Brendan Donnelly was well over 3 minutes faster to finish with 50.03 so tonight should see him on the other side of 50 minutes. Michelle Flynn and Gillian King were among the runners over the hour but not anymore as both ran together to record 57.14, great running girls. They are joined by Onra Power and Marian Keane who were 60.37 and 60.38 for week 1 and they now have it reduced to 58.33 and 58.34. The Mulcahy sisters, Michelle and Patricia will be delighted to learn that they have their time reduced by almost 2 minutes as will Rita Cronnolly, Una Cleary and Vincent O’ Flynn. The very best of luck to all the runners tonight. Don’t forget your bib and your number and to go off at your given time. 

WHAT TO DO AT THE WINTER LEAGUE

Register upstairs at the Sports Centre. 

Get your starting time on the wall in the hall downstairs. 

Keep an eye on the clock. 

When it’s close to your starting time make your way out to the hall and when your time is called you start running. 

When you have finished your run please stay in line until you have reached the stairs. 

If you are running the short route and want to change to the long route or vice-versa please let us know at the desk as we need to issue you with a new number, thanks for your co-operation with this. 

Please arrive at the centre in plenty of time and don’t park in front of anybody’s house. 

Please bear in mind that while out running the league that other pedestrians out walking are to be respected. 

 

WINTER LEAGUE DIP

As last Wednesday was November 4th, the two runners who finished in 4th position in both leagues were the lucky winners. Billy Coleman was 4th in the short route and Darragh Duggan was 4th in the long route. For their efforts both of you win a prize from our lucky dip bag. When registering tonight please let us know and we will give you your prize. The two winners that finish in 11th position tonight will be this week’s winners. 

All roads lead to Bushy Park this coming Sunday for the 16th annual McGraths’s Newsagents Brickey Run. The proceeds for the race this year will go to the Brickey Juvenile GAA club and we’d like to encourage as many of our members to come out and support the race. There are two races on offer, the main one being the 5 mile run along the canal but there is also a 3 mile race on offer. Last year there were 123 athletes in the 5 mile and 30 in the 3 mile so we hope to get as big a crowd this year. This race is not like other races as the prizes are awarded according to weight. The men are weighed when entering and the weight categories are as follows: under 40kg, under 50kg, under 60kg, under 70kg, under 80kg, under 90 kg, under 100kg and over 100kg. The women are not weighed and prizes are awarded for the top 5 women. This year, the race sponsor Albert McGrath has announced that a cash bonus of €200 will be awarded to any male or female that can break the course record. The current course record for the race is held by James Sullivan when way back in 1996 he recorded 25.16. The ladies record was set in 1995 by Winnie Gausemann with a time of 28.14. Both races start at the same time of 11 am with registration taking place from 10.15 onwards in the GAA clubhouse.  The Martin Curran shield 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 clubhouse immediately after the race and refreshments will also be provided for all the runners. We’re looking forward to seeing you out there. 

Despite a somewhat depleted entry by the club at the Munster Intermediate cross-country championships, this disappointment was compensated by Rory Moloney who was the club’s sole representative at Tralee Racecourse last Sunday. Competing among a high quality field of runners, Rory proved from the whistle that he was well up for the challenge. Among the leading pack of runners which is customary for Rory at cross country running, his strength and stamina shone through as lap after lap he bravely pushed on and was delighted with his 5th place finishing. Rory has really excelled at cross country of late and recently finished in the silver medal position on home turf at St. Augustine’s in the Munster Novice championships. His performance on Sunday last is another he can add to his tally and will stand to him in future events as he is quickly proving that he is at his best on the cross country circuit. Well done Rory. 

Well done to Phillip Harty, Shane Power and Alan Hickey who all pulled off super performances at the recent HSE 4 mile road race in Cork recently. Phillip is certainly on top form of late and proved this by finishing second overall at this race in a time of 21.05, a time I’m sure he’s delighted with and is no doubt a result of his consistent training of late. His training partners also got their just rewards when Shane Power finished 5th overall in the same race clocking 22.39. In 12th place was Alan Hickey who had one of his best runs ever to finish in a time of 22.34. Well done lads. 

Congratulations to our U/23 team of Rory Moloney, Padraig Healy and Ciaran Lane who won team gold at the recent Munster U/23 cross country championships in the Friary recently. West Waterford has always performed admirably at these events and it was all the more sweet to have won on home ground. All three lads gave it their all with Rory Moloney well up at the top of the field pulling off a performance of a life-time to finish in second place. Indeed all 3 lads are well accustomed to cross country running and are to be commended for their effort on the day. Padraig Healy finished in 6th position from a high quality field of runners and very close behind him was Ciaran Lane in 9th position. Well done lads, another medal to add to the collection. 

The date for the club’s AGM has been set for Thursday night, December 10th at 8 pm and will be held in Minnie’s Bar, Abbeyside. All club members are welcome to attend. If anyone has any motion that they would like to submit, it must be sent in writing no later than two weeks before the AGM. Motions may be sent to the club secretary, 101 Pairc na mBlath, Ballinroad, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford. 

 With just over two weeks to go before the Munster Masters cross country event, we ask that all those intending to travel to contact the cub’s cross country co-ordinator Tony Ryan on 087 7657805.  We don’t have too far to travel this year as the event is being held in Fethard, Co. Tipperary. It is hoped that we will be able to field both a men’s and ladies team on the day. 

Raivis Zakis was back in action just two weeks after his great run in the Dublin Marathon when he lined out in the inaugural 5k in Lisgoold East Cork.125 runners turned up for what was a very difficult first mile which was mainly up hill. However the course was quite flat for the rest of the distance. Raivis won the race with a time of 16.08 from James McCarthy East Cork who was 10 seconds behind. This was a good win for Raivis who seems to be well and truly over the effects of the marathon.

No matter how old I get, the race remains one of life’s most rewarding experiences.

Congratulations to club member Míchéal and Liz Callaghan, on the birth recently

of their baby boy. Health and happiness to all.

The one off Crookstown 10k motorway run between Kilcullen and Carlow on the M9 took place last Saturday and the club had one athlete taking part.Sandis Bralitis finished 2nd after a three man sprint for the line with eventual winner Brian Maher of Kilkenny city harriers taking the spoils by just 1 second from Sandis.Third was Thomas Fitzgerald of Tallagh AC just another 2 seconds behind.

The October Comeragh Crystal Athlete of the Month is Des Feeney. Des scored a total of 9 points for the month as did Kevin Kennelly but as Des had a higher overall total for the year, he was deemed to be the winner.  Cross country runners had the advantage this month as there were 3 events on, each one a championship event, and so double scores for this competition for anyone who took part. Des was one of the few athletes that took part in all three events and he reaped the rewards for his efforts as some great running from Des saw him pick up a silver county medal when he was a scoring member of the novice team.

Des is the 18th person to get his name on a monthly trophy, as so far 5 of last years individual winners have repeated the feat.  

The 18 are:

Raivis Zakis

Eibhlis Ni HAodha

Brigid Coffey

Ann Dunford

Pat Dunford

Onra Power

Paul Brunnock

Corinna Walsh

Norma Wall

Kevin Keneally

Sean Stillwell

Josie Ui Churrin

Mick McCarthy

Yevgeniy Chizhikov

Clare Walsh and Angeline Drennan

Michael O Currin

Des Feeney

Little has changed in the overall athlete of the year categories with Mick McCarthy, Sean Stillwell, Clare Walsh and Brigid Coffey still leading, however things are hotting up in the Men’s Masters with  Yevgeniy Chizhikov taking a 4 point lead on Michael O Currin.