Notes October 25-09

 RAIVIS ZAKIS WINS PADDY JOE DELANEY SHIELD AT 3OTH DUBLIN CITY MARATHON

 

Last Bank Holiday Monday saw the staging of the 30th Dublin City Marathon and it was an event that saw record entries from 50 different countries and also the largest ever Irish entry. The Irish entry was no doubt helped by the huge contingent of West Waterford athletes that participated in what was undoubtedly the best marthon held in the capital city to date. It was also the largest club representation at the marathon so needlessly to say the city was awash with blue and white.It was a dream day for marathon running, crisp and dry and no wind so we couldn’t have asked for a better day. All the training had been done and so it was time to toe the line and celebrate the long months of training and dedication and no-one was more able for the task than all our club members who were in good spirits at the line. At 9am sharp proceedings got underway and it was some sight indeed to see almost 12,000 runners make their way over O’ Connell Bridge. We had a large number of memebrs taking part in their very first marathon this year and such was their success that they are already talking about the next one!! Raivis Zakis was the first athlete from the club to reach the line and had a superb run indeed to finish 21st in a time of 2.32.40. This is a remarkable achievement as not only was it a record entry but it also was the highest standard ever in the  marathon and Raivis performed admirably amongst the Kenyans and Ethiopians who seem to be dominating long distance running of late. Each year the first club member home on the day is awarded the Paddy Joe Delaney Memorial shield and once again it goes to Raivis. From then on it was fast and furious as thousands and thousands of athletes made their way back towards Merrion Square towards the finishing line with West Waterford athletes in their midst. Gerry Cantwell proved just what a master of marathons he is when he clocked 3.05 having run the Berlin marathon a few weeks ago. Just 9 seconds seperated Martin McCarthy and Martin Hayes, both of whom were well under 3.08. Michael Dwyer another who is no stranger to marathons was well pleased with his performance and like all the athletes had to battle bravely over the last few miles. Garret Byrne who was on his second marathon of the season had a great run as did Liam Kavanagh and Tom Moroney who by all accounts was as fresh as a daisy after finishing just 5 seconds behind club mate Martin Mullarkey. He has certainly adapted easily to marathon running as has training partner Hugh Walsh. Speaking of feeling fresh, Pat Moore and Brigid Blackwell made it look like a walk in the park and seemed to enjoy every step of the way.  Ann Dunford was the first lady home from the club and knocked 3 minutes off her Berlin marathon time. Another lady to impress was Mary Harney who had a personal best on the day, she was an impressive 7 minutes faster than her previous marathon, now that’s what I call a PB! Helene Hayes also ran a blinder on the day and Jacinta celebrated entering a new age category in style with another great marathon under her belt, herself and Paula Earley kept each other going over the last few miles and made it look so easy as did Brigid Coffey, Tommy Lenihan, Amanda Mansfield and Leisa Fleming. Sisters Paula and Denise Nugent looked very comfortable and had plenty of support to help them on their way. Josie Ui Chuirrín and Michéal made it a worthwhile trip as did Pat Morrissey who no doubt will be planning next year’s marathon in the near future.  It was no surprise to see Angeline Drennan pull off a personal best also as did Clare Walsh and so many others.Rosarie Kealy and Joanne Dunford who have competed in many a marathon over the years showed they know a thing or two about pacing and looked to be getting stronger and stronger the further they went. All our debut marathon runners can most certainly take a bow and are to be appaluded for their commitment and determination to see the task through. They can all be proud of their achievement and your first marathon is certainly memorable to say the least. They can sit back and relax over the next few weeks and enjoy a well deserved rest as each club member certainly reaped the rewards of their months of training. Here’s to 2010!

For the record the overall winner of the 30th Dublin City Marathon was 19 year old Feyisa of Ethiopia in a time of 2.09.12. He bravely attempted to break the existing course record of 2.09.07. He clocked 4.47 for the 24th mile but a much slower time of 5.36 for the 25th mile proved that the Ethiopian was feeling the pressure and was beginning to fade. As he rounded the final bend he was egged on by the supporters and taking a final look at the watch he surged to the line but was 5 seconds shy of the course record but with this being his very first marathon I’m sure his disappointment was short-lived.  Lilesa is the first ever Ethiopian to have won the Dublin Marathon and in doing so set the second fastest ever time for the course. Russian Alexsey Sokolov who holds the course record for Dublin, set in 2007, came in second place in today’s race in a time of 2.10.38. Kenyan Noah Serem was third.

Ukranian Kateryna Stetsenko took the women’s title in a time of 2.32.45, overtaking race leader Helalia Johannes of Namibia. Last year’s winner Larissa Zousko came in fifth place.

Sergiu Ciobanu of Clonliffe Harriers took the Irish National Championship in a time of 2.22.06 some four minutes clear of veteran Irish runner Pauric McKinney of Letterkenny A.C.

The race for first Irish woman home was always going to be a tight affair with close friends and running foes Annette Kealy and Pauline Curley both battling to be first over the finish line. It was Kealy of Raheny Shamrocks who had the edge in the finish in a time of 2.45.43 followed by Tullamore Harriers Curley in 2.46.13. 

 

Top 3 Men:

1st – Feyisa Lilesa, Ethiopia, 2.09.12

2nd – Alexsey Sokolov, Russia, 2.10.38

3rd-Noah Serem, Kenya, 2.11.14

Top 3 Women:

1st- Kateryna Stetsenko, Ukraine, 2.32.45

2nd-Helalia Johannes, Namibia, 2.33.26

3rd-Tiki Gelana, Ethiopia, 2.33.49

Top 3 Irish Men:

1st- Segiu Ciobanu, Clonliffe Harriers, 2.22.06

2nd-Pauric McKinney, Letterkenny A.C., 2.26.21

3rd- Owen Gahan, 2.28.16

Top 3 Irish Women:

1st- Annette Kealy, Raheny Shamrocks, 2.45.43

2nd-Pauline Curley, Tullamore Harriers, 2.46.13

3rd- Claire McCarthy, 2.48.58

 

The club extends its congratulations to Ballycotton’s John Walshe who was one of the privileged 29 athletes that can lay claim to have run all 30 of the Dublin City Marathons. The very first Marathon took place in 1980 and just 28 men and one woman have participated in all 30 since then. This in an incredible achievement and a remarkable commitment to running so congratulations to them all for this. 

The Garvey’s Fit4Life Autumn League began on September 10th and took place over the following 5 Thursday’s evening’s finishing up on the October 8th.  Once again it was a successful league for both beginners and regulars alike.  Beginners who had an ambition to take part in the Winter League decided to get in some early training and ran the 1 or 2 laps on offer in the Autumn League.  Regulars either opted to run the 3 or 4 Lap distance getting in some of the much needed marathon miles for Dublin.  In order to figure on the final league tables runners had to participate on 4 out of the 5 nights and the 4 nights had to be over the same distance.  Prizes were awarded to first and second in Division 1 of each distance and first in every other division.

1 LAP

PATRICIA IS ONE LAP CHAMPION

Patricia Meehan may have only started running recently but she has shown great improvements over the summer months and during this league she improved her times greatly running 11.56 in week 1 to 10 46 on the final night.  Patricia finished with a final points total of 11, which was 3 ahead of Lorna Dee on 14 points from her best 4 nights.  Lorna was also new to the Friary and she too had no trouble with the distance running 12.22 on week 1 and by week 5 she was covering the1.2 miles in 10.39.

ANN LYONS WINS AGAIN

 Division 2 in the 1 Lap League was won this year by Ann Lyons, finishing with a point’s total of 29.  She took this win by virtue of a 16 points margin from her nearest rival here, Carol Tobin.  Ann enjoyed this league and is now a regular over the distance.  In week 1 Ann ran the league in 13.26 and by week 5 she was down to 12.22, which once again showed great improvement.  Carol too improved each week and by week 5 she was down to 13.25 from 14.15, which she ran on her first week.  

Well done to everyone who took part in the 1 Lap League over the course of the 5 weeks as improvements were achieved all round and everyone was running the full lap before the league was over.

2 LAPS

CORINNA IS QUEEN OVER 2 LAPS

With a final points total of just 7 from her best 4 nights Corinna Walsh was crowned 2 Lap Champion for 2009.  Corinna finished 5 points ahead of her nearest rival here, John Downey who had a total of 12.  Over the course of the 5 weeks Corinna used the league as speed training for her Cross Country races and from the races she has run recently this training has certainly paid off.  Corinna ran her fastest time in week 3 when she ran 14.56 for 2.4 miles, which is excellent running over the Friary Course.  John too improved greatly over the course of this league and from a time of 17.35 on his first night he will have been delighted that he broke 17 minutes on the last night running 16.55.

DIVISION 2

GERALDINE WINS HER DIVISION

Geraldine Barry came to the fore in division 2 of the 2 Lap league when she finished with a point’s total of 31 over the course of the 5 nights.  Geraldine took victory here from another improving runner Caroline Lenihan who was very happy with the times she recorded over the 5 weeks.  Geraldine too was delighted to break 20 minutes for the 2 Laps, which she did on 2 occasions in weeks 4 and 5 running 19.59 on both occasions.  Caroline started in week 1 running 22.44 and by week 5 she was down to 20.29, which is great progress over the league.

DIVISION 3

MICHELLE HAS WHAT IT TAKES

Michelle Fitzgerald took this division with a point’s total of 60, which was 8 ahead of the second place finisher, Emma Walsh.  Michelle started with a time of 24.23 and improved each week to finish on 22.20 in week 5.  Emma too started with a time of 24.52 in week 1 and on the final night she finished just 1 second behind Michelle in 22.21.

Once again well done to all who ran the 2 Lap League and to all who moved up from the 1 Lap to 2 over the course of this league you are all in good shape for the 2.7 mile Winter League course.

3 LAPS

EUROPEAN MEDALIST WINS AGAIN

The 3 Lap League was hotly contested this year with 3-lap specialist Joe Gough and Yevgenniy Chizhikov fighting it out for the top position on the League Table.  Tommy Falconer too made a great impression here but unfortunately for him he did not run the requisite 4 nights to figure on the league tables.  When the final points were counted the man to come out on top with 8 points was Joe Gough with 4 second place finishes so well done to Joe.  Just 2 points behind Joe came Yev with a score of 10 courtesy of a first place and 3 third place finishes.  Joe’s fastest time of the league came on the 4th week when he ran 21.32 while Yev had his p.b. on the final week when he completed the 3.6 miles in 22.21.

DIVISION 2 

ONRA HAS THE POWER TO WIN THIS ONE

There was absolutely nothing between the top 3 finishers in this division as just 2 points separated the 3 of them after the final night of running.  Onra Power came out on top though as with her point’s total of 37 she had the bare minimum to spare over her nearest rival in the division Michelle Durand.  Michelle did not give this one up without a fight and indeed on the final 2 nights she finished ahead of Onra, but Onra has done enough over the first 2 nights to take a commanding lead that was not to be overtaken.  Josie Harty too fought hard here and with 39 points from her best 4 nights she too finished just one point behind Michelle.  Onra had her best run in week 2 when she ran 31.14 while Michelle finished the last night with an excellent 30.35.  

4 LAPS

NEW CHAMPION IS CROWNED FOR 2009

The title of 4 Lap Champion in the Garvey’s Fit4Life Autumn League for 2009 rests in the home of Kevin Kenneally for the very first time.  Kevin has been knocking on the door in these leagues over the past few years and 2009 was to be his year as he fought off stiff competition from Sean Stilwell to take the title with just 5 points from his 4 nights.  Kevin achieved this low points total with 3 first place finishes and one second place while Sean finished on 6 points with 2 first’s and 2 seconds.  Kevins win was achieved due to the excellent times he recorded the best of these coming in week 4 when he ran 26.31 for the 4.8 miles.  Sean had his fastest run also in week 4 when he ran 26.40 just 9 seconds behind Kevin.  Third place in division 1 went to East Cork stalwart Dennis Mc Carthy the Cross Country specialist who regularly uses the Friary leagues to prepare for his races and Dennis had his fastest time in week 4 when he ran 29.25.

DIVISION 2 

IT’S DWYER FROM DWYER

Sibling rivalry is great when it’s healthy and Sean and Dermot Dwyer pushed each other to the limits in this division as they ran hard each week.  There could only be one winner however and on this occasion the accolade went to Sean as with 24 points he had 4 to spare over Dermot on 28.  Sean had his best run in week 4 when he ran 30.36 while brother Dermot ran his best time also in week 4 when he ran 30.45.

DIVISION 3

COLIN MAKES IT A DOUBLE FOR THE LYONS

Colin Lyons has not had a great summer with injury preventing him from training as much as he would wish but anything Ann can do Colin can do too as he made sure 2 prizes went to the Lyons house.  46 points secured victory for Colin here over second place Eamonn Flavin who went from strength to strength in this league when he took his times down from 39.06 in week 1 to an excellent 32.29 on the final night.  Colin did not run on the final night but he took the win here due to his consistency over the week’s as he finished ahead of Eamonn each night he ran and Colin had his best time in week 4 when he ran 33.14.

DIVISION 4

DIXIE WINS AGAIN

If there’s a knack to winning your division in these leagues then Michael Deegan certainly has it and he did not disappoint again in the Garvey’s Autumn League as with his points total of 69 he had 6 points to spare over the second place finisher Pascal Proctor.  Pascal put in some great performances here too as he took his times down from 39.10 to 37.31 while Dixie’s best time was in week 2 when he ran 37.35.

DIVISION 5

JOHN HAS THE WINNING FEELING

Another man who makes a habit of winning prizes is John Foley, the current 2.7 mile Allrounder Winter League Champion.  John came through the field once again here to take victory in this division with 87 points.  The competition in this division came from Angelica Bradatan who this summer has proven that when she puts her mind down to it she has what it takes to be a really good runner.  Angela put in some really good training this summer and the fruits of this were seen in the times she recorded in the Autumn League.  John had his best run in week 3 when he ran 38.47 while Angela’s kept the best for last when she broke 38 minutes running 37.56 on the final night.

DIVISON 6

CATRIONA TAKES VICTORY

Catriona O Brien looks all set for the upcoming Dublin marathon and took victory in this division with 107 points from her best 4 nights.  Catriona began in week 1 running 43.13 and by week 4 she was down to 40.25 so well done to Catriona.  In second place in this division was Linda Bradfield who finished 7 points behind Catriona and Linda had her best run in week 2 when she ran 42.13.

THANK YOU 

As always we would like to thank everyone who took part in this league as without runners there would be no reason to hold the leagues.  We would like to sincerely thank Brother Lennon and the staff of St Augustines for the use of the Friary grounds.  Thank you also to Tony Ryan who is the organiser in chief of all the leagues that we hold in the Friary.  Well done also to Liam and Shirley who turn up each week to take the times and operate the clock. Thanks also to Michael who set out the course each week and helped with the clock,and thanks to Ann for all her work with the weekly notes which were expertly written keeping us informed of each individual division on a weekly bases.  

SPONSOR

We would also like to thank our sponsor for this league Garvey’s Supervalu Dungarvan and Centra on the Coolagh Road.  Liam Power their manager ran the 3 Lap distance in this league himself and was also available for the prizegiving which was a great night in Alice O Connors.  Thanks again to Liam for presenting the prizes and to everyone at Alice O Connors for making us welcome and also for the lovely food on the night.That brings the running in the Friary to an end for 2009 and it’s all attention now to the Allrounder Winter League with the first night proper tonight (28th October) beginning at 7.15 sharp.  Just a reminder to everyone that the run will start at that time but to get there around 7 to make sure you are registered.

The Sports Centre is the place to be tonight for the start of the very popular All Rounder Sports winter league. The run for both routes will start at 7.20 so please allow enough time to get to the centre and register. Registration will begin from 6.45 onwards. If you weren’t able to register last week for a number you may do so tonight, in fact it’s possible to register on any night of the league. This league has gone from strength to strength since it first began with a mere 14 athletes and a testament to its popularity is the 300 or so runners that are now taking part.  The success of the league is due to the fact that we cater especially for those that are new to running. The handicap system that we follow is ideal for the beginner as the fastest runners are the last to start the run. The overall winner of the league is not the fastest runner as many may think but the person who improves the most over the duration of the league which will really suit the newcomers. Despite the bad weather last Wednesday night we had record numbers turn up to register and many ran the routes in order to get a feel for it. Thanks to all those that registered as this will really help with the proceedings tonight. We were delighted to see so many new faces. It was also encouraging to see all those who have recently taken up running at the leagues in the Friary and also all those from the various sporting clubs in the locality, the winter league is a great way to maintain and improve your fitness levels throughout the winter.  So if you are new to running and are thinking about doing the league, you should really come along tonight and see what it’s all about. There are two routes on offer and they are called the long route which is 5.75 miles and the short route which is 2.5 miles. Naturally we would encourage all those new to running to do the short route to start off with but you may move to the long route whenever you feel ready.  Don’t worry if you can’t run it all without stopping, run, walk or jog until you get back to the finish. Each week you will find that you can run a little more than the previous week. The league itself is a big operation and we are grateful to all those that have made it possible to hold the league once again this year. Thanks again to Pearse Moloney of the all rounder Sports for sponsoring the league again. Thanks to all the background team that have put in much work over the last few weeks getting everything ready for tonight. A special thanks must go to all those who have volunteered to steward on the course, we are so grateful for your support and co-operation. Thanks to all those that are helping at the registration desk, the entries, the starting line and the finishing tunnel. It’s all very much appreciated. 

ALLROUNDER WINTER LEAGUE HALL OF FAME LEAGUE WINNERS.

LONG COURSE                                 SHORT COURSE

1994 Johnny Clarke                 1998 Ann & Catriona Bennett     

1995 Eoin O’Riordan               1999 Eilis Ni hAodha

 

1996 Philip Harty                     2000 Shane Power

1997 Michael Bennett               2001 Geoff Bullen

1998 Gerry Cantwell                2002 Jennifer Ui Dhuibhir

1999 Tony Shalloe                   2003 P.J. Curran

2000 Stephen Curran               2004 Cordelia Burke

2001 Dan Dineen                     2005 Collette Bannon

2002 Norma Wall                    2006 Liam Budds

2003 Pat Dunford                     2007 Angeline Drennan

2004 Tony Shalloe                   2008  Carolyn Byrne

2005 Pat Dunford                     2009 John Foley

2006 Brigid Coffey

2007  Michael Dunford

2008 Tom Scanlon

2009 Bernard Walsh

 PARKING

Judging from the large numbers that registered last week, a large crowd will be expected tonight. 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.

STARTING TIME FOR TONIGHT

Tonight is a mass start, which means that everybody will begin at the same time. For those that have yet to register, we ask that you get to the sports centre in plenty of time in order to get your number and be ready for the run in time. All runners will start at 7.20 p.m. sharp. Those that have yet to get a number should aim to be at the centre before seven. From next week on your starting time will be on the wall in the hall.

 I DON’T KNOW THE ROUTES

There are two routes on offer at the winter league, most commonly known as the long route and the short route. The short route is 2.5 miles and the long route is a little less than 6 miles in total. 

THE SHORT ROUTE

Start at the sports centre and run up through Childer’s Estate, take a left on the Youghal road where you will be crossing the road with the aid of the stewards there. Run towards the Youghal road roundabout following the bypass road up towards the spring roundabout. Take a right at the roundabout and another right after that which brings you down Fr. Twomey’s Road and onto the Youghal Road again. Take a left here and cross when told to do so by the stewards and straight on until you reach the top of Childer’s Estate, take a right through the estate and back towards the centre. There will be stewards on the route so there’s no danger of getting lost!

THE LONG ROUTE

Start at the sports centre and run along the Look out and along the quay, taking a right to go over the causeway bridge. At the traffic lights take a right towards Abbeyside Church and run up Friar’s walk to the top of Seapark Estate. Take a left here and run straight through the estate. At the end of the estate you will be taking a right and crossing the road with the help of stewards. Run towards the Friary College and follow the path passing Tournore court and Golden Meadow’s Retirement home. At the main road you will be turning left onto the Coolagh Road and running towards Crotty’s Corner. Take a left here and when told to do so by the stewards cross over the bridge towards Kyne Park. Take a right onto Friar’s Walk again, run past the church and at the traffic lights take a left over the causeway bridge. Take a left to run along the quay and the lookout and back to the centre. There will be plenty of stewards on this route also and we ask that they be obeyed at all times.

IF YOU HAVE A NUMBER FROM LAST WEEK

If you got a number from last week, we ask that you go to the entries desk, give your name and number at the desk and pay the appropriate fee which is €2 for members and €3 for non-members. All runners must register each week. 

If YOU DON’T HAVE A NUMBER

If you don’t have a number already, then you go to the registration desk and register. You will have to fill in a form and read the safety statement. The cost of your number which you use each night of the league is €5 and then you pay either €2 if you are a member of the club or €3 if you are not a member. This means that for tonight or for anybody that will be registering on other nights, your first night will be either €7 or €8.  After tonight, you will only be paying for the run. 

DO YOU HAVE THE RIGHT NUMBER?

For those that already have a number, please check that you have the right number for the right course. The numbers 1-300 are for those running in the long route and the numbers 600-900 are for the short route. If you were issued an incorrect number, please bring along your number and we will issue you with a new number. 

I’VE CHANGED MY MIND ABOUT THE ROUTE I WANT TO DO

If you registered last week for either the long route or the short route and you’ve changed your mind, then you need to tell us at the desk and we will issue you with a new number. PLEASE DON’T CHANGE ROUTES AND USE YOUR ORIGINAL NUMBER. This distorts the results and it’s much easier for us to issue you with a new number. If you decide after a few weeks that you want to change from one route to another, that’s no problem whatsoever as long as you tell us. You may even change back again as long as you inform us. We really appreciate your co-operation in this.

WHAT DO I DO WITH MY NUMBER?

On your first night of the league, you will be assigned a number, which you must wear at the front of your bib. The reason for this is so that your finishing position may be recorded by the officials at the finishing line. We ask that all runners wear their bib and their number each night. If you lose your number please contact someone at the desk. 

AT THE FINISHING LINE

The finishing times of each runner will be recorded at the finishing line. There will be two sets of recorders at the finishing line due to the large numbers taking part. The first set will be at the start of the finishing tunnel and the other set at the end of the finishing tunnel. ALL ATHLETES MUST STAY IN THE FINISHING TUNNEL UNTIL THEY REACH THE STAIRS AT THE BACK OF THE SPORTS CENTRE. PLEASE DO NOT PASS ANYONE OUT IN THE TUNNEL.

SAFETY ON THE ROADS

The first rule of safety when running on the road is that all runners must wear their reflective bib at all times. Bibs can be bought at any sports shop or hardware shop. Runners do not have the right of way and so we must obey the stewards at all times. They are there for our own safety and are not to be ignored. Please be wary of traffic at all times but especially when crossing the road or overtaking somebody. Also, the use of ipods or mp3 players is not allowed for safety reasons. You need to be able to hear the stewards when telling you to cross. The club is very strict on this policy and we ask that all participants adhere to this, failure to do so will result in penalty points. 

WHAT WILL I DO WITH MY KEYS?

At the registration desk, there is a box in which all the keys will be kept in. After the league, the box will be made available for you to collect your keys. The club accepts no responsibility for lost keys or articles. 

 

HOW WILL I KNOW WHAT TIME I RAN?

As tonight is a mass start, you will see your time on the clock, as you cross the line so don’t forget to look up. Depending on space, they may be printed in the local papers and will also be available on the club website. Our address is www.westwaterfordathletics.org. The times will also be displayed the following week in the hall of the sports centre. Just locate your number and your time will be printed beside your number. 

It’s almost that time of year again to be heading out to the Brickey Valley for the 16th annual McGrath’s Newsagents sponsored Brickey Run. The race this year will be held on Sunday morning, November 15th at 11 am. As usual there will be a choice of a 5 mile run and a 3 mile run and we will have the usual weight categories for the men which is a unique feature in this race plus prizes for the first five women in the ladies section. The winner of the men’s 5 mile race will receive the Martin Curran Memorial Cup and the victorious lady will be awarded the Jim Lyons Memorial Shield. Registration and entries will take place in Bushy Park which is where the prize-giving will also take place. The entry fee for both races is €8. We will have more in next week’s notes. 

The club’s next committee meeting will take place next Tuesday night, November 3rd  in Minnie’s Bar at 8.30 p.m. 

The above championships will take place in the grounds of Tralee race-course on Sunday November 8th with the ladies event kicking off at approximately 2.30 pm.  Our Cross-Country co-ordinator Tony Ryan has asked that all those intending to take part to contact him as soon as possible as the entries need to be in over the next few days.

Even after all these years, running continues to amaze me. Mostly in its ability to clarify – to make things OK and bring you back down to earth, even when things are insane. Especially when things are insane.

Australia’s Westfield ultra marathon had a surprise entrant: a 61-year-old potato farmer named Cliff Young. He arrived wearing overalls and gumboots and took a place among a field of 150 elite 20-somethings for the 543-mile run from Sydney to Melbourne. Young ran with a peculiar shuffling gait that soon left him far behind the leaders, but as the race wore on he gained ground rapidly. His strategy was simple: He didn’t sleep. He had routinely rounded up sheep on his family’s 2,000-acre ranch in Victoria, where he often ran two or three days without rest, and this preternatural endurance carried him easily into first place in the Westfield race, beating the record time by nearly two days. At the finish Young said he’d been unaware there was a $10,000 prize; he gave it away to five other runners and returned quietly to his ranch. Asked what advice he’d give to other elderly runners, he said, “No matter what you do, you have to keep moving. If you don’t wear out, you rust out.”

BRIAN BYRNE RUNS NEW YORK.

Best wishes go to Brian Byrne who heads to the big apple this Sunday to run the worlds best loved marathon New York.