West Waterford Athletic ClubWest Waterford Athletic Club

notes July 12-09

 
GER WYLEY / NIKE SPORTS SUMMER SERIES RACE NO.8

GLAXOSMITHKLINE 5
 
RECORD ENTRY ONCE AGAIN FOR GSK RACE

From 249 in 2007 to 273 in 2008, the 2009 entry of 307 for the Glaxosmithkline race set yet another record entry for this prestigious race. Now in its tenth year, this race has without question grown from strength to strength and it looks set to continue. Along with the 307 runners, we also had a record entry of walkers on the night, courtesy of the local branch of the RNLI who made a huge effort and commitment to encourage their members to attend and a great night was had by one and all. The heavy rain cleared throughout the evening and the slight drizzle made for ideal running conditions. The organisation committee under Dermot Dwyer were delighted to see the large crowd convene in Kilrush for the start of the race. Friday night was the culmination of many weeks of preparation, co-operation and trojan work behind the scenes of all involved and what a success it was. It was all hands on deck from 6.30 pm onwards with parking, registering, warming up etc and the organising committee had it all under control. A fabulous t-shirt bearing the GSK lotto was given to each athlete along with the usual goody bag. The proceeds of the race were donated to the local branch of the RNLI who were the lucky recipients of €4,500. The proceeds of the race generated €3,300 and thanks to the generous spirit of GSK whose philosophy is to support local charities, the firm increased this figure to €4,500, much to the delight of the RNLI committee members. Mrs. Joan Clancy on behalf of the committee sincerely thanked GSK and the organisers and all the runners and spoke of the importance and the cost of keeping this valuable service in operation 365 days of the year and the money raised will be put to good use in maintaining and purchasing vital equipment.  The race was an outstanding success from all view points, as already mentioned race organisers Glaxosmithkline had everything done to perfection with every aspect of the race organised in top class fashion and all concerned are to be congratulated on a really super event which was enjoyed by all. The standard in the race was of the highest, and the proof is in the reading of the results with 39 runners breaking 30 minutes for the distance, well up on the 33 from last year proving that the GSK course is one of the fastest 5-mile courses around the road running scene. West Waterford athletic club had a huge turn out of members taking part when 115 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 10th annual GSK 5 was West Waterford’s Sandis Bralitis. Having broken the course record here last year, he was back last Friday to have another go at the course record. That’s the thing with course records, once they’re set you’re all the more determined to break them. As previously mentioned, the conditions were in the runner’s favour for most of the race but out the Youghal Road between 1.5 and 2.5 miles, the wind was against the runners. Our international athlete and first Waterford athlete to break 4 minutes for the mile, David McCarthy, was the honorary race starter and no sooner had the gun gone off than there were three athletes at the helm and all from West Waterford, Sandis Bralitis, Raivis Zakis and James Ledingham. The first mile of 4.40 meant that all were well inside the course record. Last year when setting the course record the first mile was clocked at 4.45 so this 4.40 meant they were well on track. At 1.5 miles Sandis broke from the pack, anxious to lead it out as is his customary fashion and left James and Raivis to battle it out for second place. The second mile was reached in 9.40; it was 9.38 last year so at this stage the course record was still within his grasp. The third mile which proved to be the most difficult for the majority of athletes due to the wind on the Youghal Road and the ever so slight incline as you turn right off the road was also a thorn in Sandis’ side as it’s here that he dropped the pace, clocking a somewhat slower time of 5.14 with the clock reading 14.54. At this stage, Sandis was 12 seconds outside his time from last year and so dug deep and clocked 5.06 for the 4th mile but was still outside the course record by the same 12 seconds. Never one to shy away from a challenge, Sandis powered up the hill at Booreenarua and gave it his all to clock 4.59 for the fifth and final mile and as he crossed the line the time read 24.59, just inside 25 minutes for the course but the course record which Sandis set himself last year of 24.34 is intact for yet another year but we have no doubt that Sandis will be back next year as determined as ever to give it another go. GSK will be delighted to see that two if its employees filled the top two places as Raivis Zakis took second place after a sprint finish with fellow club mate Phillip Harty. Raivis has finished 2nd in this race many times before and was delighted with his performance on the night. However, while not taking from the effort and performance of Sandis and Raivis, many will agree that one of the best performances of the night belonged to third placed Phillip Harty. Phillip ran a blinder on the night to say the least, it was a smart and tactical race which saw Phillip deservedly take 3rd. Phillip ran cautiously over the first half of the race, content with trailing the leaders and when the pace dropped up at the top, Phillip closed the gap slowly and surely and before long found himself in third spot well clear of the others. Phillip then found himself closing in on Raivis and so the battle for second spot ensued finishing in a sprint finish by both Philip and Raivis with Raivis taking the spoils on the night. Just a second separated the two athletes, Raivis recorded 25.28 and Phillip finished with 25.29. The lads were well clear of the fourth finisher, Tony Fogarty of Thurles Crokes who finished just outside of 26 minutes, clocking 26.02.  It was almost a clean sweep for West Waterford as we filled 4 out of the top 5 placings with James Ledingham finishing in 5th position. James who performed admirably in the 800 metres at the recent Cork City Sports and in the National Leagues proved that he can mix with the best over the longer distances as well and was thrilled with his finishing time of 26.45, four seconds ahead of club-mate Rory Moloney. With Sean Stilwell finishing in 8th place, we had 6 in the first ten athletes overall which is a great credit for the athletes and the club.
 
 
HIGH STANDARD IN MASTER’S CATEGORIES
 
The battles fought within the senior categories were every bit as intense in the master’s categories with some interesting tussles throughout. Martin O’ Keeffe of Youghal AC kept the tradition of the 0/40 prize going to Youghal as previously it was always won by fellow club-mate Noel Curtin who is now in the 0/45 category. Martin had a great time of 28.17, well clear of second athlete in this category, Jim Baldwin of Waterford A.C who finished with 29.08 and Youghal was once again to the fore with Paul Curley claiming the third spot with 29.19. The magical barrier in a 5-mile race is 30 minutes and in the master’s categories up to 0/55, this was broken by all the athletes, which shows the standard around these parts. Noel Curtin always dominated the 0/40 category and now that he is in the 0/45 category he is continuing to do so with a fine performance finishing with 27.57. Second and third in this category were West Waterford’s Martin McCarthy (28.34) and Gary McCormack (29.58) First 0/50 and 17th overall was St. Joseph’s athlete Larry Lacey who is a regular supporter of all our races. Joe Gough was well clear in the 0/55 category and the winner of the 0/60 category was Clonmel AC athlete T.J. O’ Loughlin. Ciaran Lane added another victory in the junior category breaking 30 minutes in the process finishing with 29.42
 
RESULTS
1. Sandis Bralitis  WWAC 24.59
2. Raivis Zakis  WWAC 25.28
3. Phillip Harty  WWAC  25.29
4. Tony Fogarty  Thurles  26.02
5. James Ledingham  WWAC  26.45
 
Junior
Ciaran Lane   WWAC 29.42
 
0/40 
1. Martin O’ Keeffe  Youghal  28.17
2. Jim Baldwin  WAC  29.08
3. Paul Curley   Youghal  29.19
 
0/45
1. Noel Curtin   Youghal  27.57
2. Martin McCarthy  WWAC 28.34
3. Gary McCormack  WWAC 29.58
 
0/50
Larry Lacey   St. Josephs  28.37
 
0/55
Joe Gough   WWAC 29.47
 
0/60
T.J. O’ Loughlin  Clonmel  40.16
 
 
MCCANN LEADS THE LADIES HOME
 
Last Friday night, Angela McCann certainly hit top form when she led the ladies home in style winning ever so convincingly. The absence of Pauiline Lambe meant that the battle was to be fought between Angela and last year’s winner Corinna Walsh. It was going to be a battle right to the very end and the fast first mile proved that both were up for the challenge. Upon reaching the first mile Angela made a tactical move that saw her edge forward to create a significant gap between the two determined athletes and it was a move that paid dividends for the Clonmel athlete. Angela was third in this race last year and now that she was in the lead she was not going to let anyone or anything stop her from claiming the title for the very first time. Not once did Angela lose momentum or drop the pace and once she got to the crest of the hill at the top of Boreenarua, she literally powered her way in the Kilrush road and onto the finishing line in a super time of 30.36. Angela recorded 31.16 for the same race last year which shows the improvement she has made in the space of 12 months and we need to add here that she has also taken part in 2 marathons in those 12 months as well which makes the win all the more remarkable and Angela was well chuffed with her top drawer performance. Never one to give up, Corinna Walsh finished second in a very credible time of 31.11, a time which would win many other 5 mile races. Corinna had plenty to spare over the ever improving Keeley Tideswell of Clonmel AC, club-mate of Angela. Keeley who was second in the recent Dromana race was third on the night with a great time of 31.39, great running indeed. The fourth spot went to Waterford AC member, Sylvia Malone who has had a great season indeed and is very consistent throughout. She ran a very tactical race which saw her run one of her best times ever for 5 miles when she finished with 31.53. The fifth spot went to Ballinroad Lady Norma Wall who clocked 32.03.Norma is currently on a high mileage training stint for her first marathon attempt in Berlin and after her great run Friday night all looks to be on track for that big date in September. Diane Behan of Waterford A.C. won the 0/35 category in a time of 33.01.Also training for the upcoming marathon in Berlin and unlike Norma not her first, club committee member Ann Dunford is certainly running superbly well presently,After a very evenly paced race last Friday night over the first 4 miles,when the hill at Booreenarua beckoned on the run for home,Ann had plenty of strength and stamina in reserve to power up the hill which saw her final mile being her fastest by a long shot, this effort made her a clear winner in the 0/40 category in a time of 34.46, well clear of Ann Kavanagh. Claire Fowler who was part of the winning ladies team at the last race was on the winner’s podium once again as she won yet again another individual prize, winning first 0/45 and judging by her super run it won’t be her last. Her club-mate, Kathleen Kennedy won the 0/50 category in a time of 40.50 and Hillary Collins won the 0/55 section in a time of 39.11. Congratulations to Tara Rhatigan who was successful in the junior category, winning in a time of 35.06.
 
RESULTS
1. Angela McCann Clonmel  30.36
2. Corinna Walsh  WWAC  31.11
3. Keeley Tideswell  Clonmel  31.39
4. Sylvia Malone  WAC  31.53
5. Norma Wall  WWAC 32.03
0/35 Diane Behan  WAC   33.01
0/40 Ann Dunford  WWAC 34.46
0/45 Claire Fowler  WAC  35.45
0/50 Kathleen Kennedy WAC 40.50
0/55 Hillary Collins  Coolquil  39.11
Junior: Tara Rhatigan  UCC   35.06
 

        
 DZINTARS AND CAMILLE 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.  2009 saw a repeat performance of 2008 with Dzintars and Camille winning once again, they will surely have their sights set on three in a row for 2010, no pressure!! Dzintars certainly impressed on the night when he finished 7th overall from a top quality field of runners. His time last year was 28.09 and this year he got it down to 27.22, fine running indeed.   In second place was Damien Travers who also improved significantly from last year, he finished in 20th place overall in 28.54. Shane Power who is only recently back in action due to injury was the third GSK employee on the night, finishing 28th overall in 29.36. Dermot Ryan and Eoin O’ Riordan had to battle it out for 4th and 5th spot and it was Dermot who was first past the post, getting there a mere 2 seconds ahead of Eoin, well done lads. Camille Mulhearne was well clear in the ladies and despite not having her winter league buddy for the race, she finished in a great time of 36.31, a faster time than last year. Caitriona O’ Brien was the second female to finish in 41.29 with Denise Nugent filling the third spot. Cathy Weldon and Cliona Kirwan finished in 4th and 5th place respectively, well done to all.
 
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 RNLI.  Race committee member Dermot Dwyer 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 of €3,300 to €4,500. He 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 charity, the RNLI who was represented on the night by Mrs. Joan Clancy.Hon Press Secretary, Dermot 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, Des Colbert for the chip timing system 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 Albert 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

Please note race number 9 in the series, the Ballymacarbry 5, will take place on Friday July 31st at 7.30 pm (Please note the change from the traditional bank holiday Monday date to the previous Friday)
 
AMBER PETROLEUM FIT4LIFE LEAGUE.

THE RAIN WON’T STOP US.
 
The second round of this popular “predict your own time” running league took place last Tuesday evening with numbers up from round 1.  This was unexpected due to a torrential rain shower at 6pm but this hardy bunch were not deterred by the weather and turned out in force to try to get the timing right.  Once again for anyone new to running or thinking of trying out a group run this really is the league to start with.  You decide what distance you want to run, 1 lap of the Friary College (taking in all pitches is 1.2 miles), 2, 3 or 4 laps.  Next you decide what time you think you will run the distance in.  With the clock starting at 45 minutes and working back to zero, once it reaches the time you have chosen you begin your run.  There are prizes every night for the first 3 people over the line as the clock strikes zero.  Only you know the time that you ran as all that matters is how close you were to zero, nobody is watching your time they are just trying to get their own timing right!  No watches are allowed, as this would be cheating!  You are assured of a warm welcome, advice if you need it and a warm welcome to start on a new road to health and fitness.  Bring along a friend if you can as it always makes it easier when you have someone to share the effort with and a willing attitude.  You can start with 1 lap if you wish and after a few weeks move up to 2 and after that the sky’s the limit.  You don’t have to run every night, come along when you can and remember it was at leagues like this that many of our members started running.  Entry fee is just €2 each night and registration begins at 6.45 every Tuesday for the next 6 weeks.  See you there.
 
THE MAN FROM GRANGE GETS IT RIGHT ON THE NIGHT
 
85 people took to the grounds of the Friary College last Tuesday, each and every one of them hoping that when they reached the finish line that Tony would pronounce them the winner.  But this can only happen for 1 lucky athlete each night and on this occasion the accolade went to Eamonn Flavin.  Eamonn really is a supporter of all events run by West Waterford and has run all 7 races in the Summer Series to date and was rewarded for his dedication with a win in this popular league.  Once again there was great tension on the final lap as runners began to bunch up and come together in the last few hundred yards.  Many were watching runners that they had chosen as potential winners including Liam Kavanagh a proven winner at this Colligan Cup system, Norma Wall last weeks winner and winner on two occasion last year and also Yevgenniy Chizhikov who is never far away.  But there can only be one winner and on this occasion Eamonn crossed the line exactly as the clock reached zero so well done to him.  57 runners were too fast on the night with another 28 on the right side of the clock.  The runners just ahead of the clock can count themselves unlucky and these included Liam Kavanagh who was just 2 seconds too quick, James Veale at just 4 seconds and Linda Bradfield who was only five seconds out.  On the right side of the clock on this occasion was Liam Sandford who was also just 2 seconds out and also Claire Murray at only 3 seconds while the fore runner for the athlete of the year title Michael Mc Carthy was only 5 seconds slower than his predicted time.  It’s a real sign that everyone is getting the timing right when you look at the times and see that out of the 85 athletes only 14 were more than a minute and a half outside their predicted time.  It’s only round two and people are getting it almost spot on already.  Indeed the finish line workers were so busy that they had to set up a second tunnel to cope with the rush of athletes coming to the finish line together.  Well done to everyone helping out at the finish line for getting their sums right and making sure everything went smoothly. 
 
AMBER PETROLEUM LEAGUE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TABLE
 
It might only be round 2 but Norma Wall is going to be one to watch again this year for the league title.  She was a long time leader last year only to be over taken by Yevgenniy Chizhikov and she is to the fore again this year courtesy of her win in week 1 which earned her 30 points and her 16 points from week 2.  This gives Norma 46 points to date but surprisingly this does not see Norma in the number 1 spot as the leader of the league as this title at the moment goes to Michael Mc Carthy because in week 1 he garnered 22 points and in week 2 he won for himself 27 points.  This sees Michael with a point’s total of 49 just 3 ahead of Norma.  Indeed it’s very tight at the top with Ann Dunford in third place with 43 points while we have Yevgenniy Chizhikov and Paddy Power in joint fourth place with 41 points.  So it’s very interesting at the top and anyone can be a winner if you get the timing right!
 
SPONSORS

Once again we would like to sincerely thank our sponsors Pat Keane and Marion Joy of the Amber Garage on the Youghal Road Dungarvan and well done to Marion who ran once again but who was one of the runners that were too fast on the night.  We are extremely grateful to all our sponsors as without them we could not hold our leagues.
 
WELCOME BACK AND THANKS

A big welcome back to one of our regulars Alice Shanley who made her return last Tuesday evening after a long lay off through injury sustained over the winter.  It’s great to see you back Alice. 
As always we would like to thank everyone involved in the running of the league as without these people the league would not be possible.  Tony who is as efficient as ever, Liam on the clock, Shirley on the finish line taking the names and Michael who sets out the course.  Once again well done and thanks. 
 
WEDDING BELLS

The club extends congratulations to Joe Barry and Lorraine Hayes,Mary O’ Riordan and Kenny Houlihan and Tom and Suzanne O’Brien on their recent marriages, Health and happiness to all three couples.

MICHAEL’S BIRTHDAY.
 
Congratulations and best wishes to staunch West Waterford member Michael Wade Portlaw on reaching the young age of 50 recently.
 
RUNNING QUOTE.
 
Keeping my eye on today is about all I’m capable of. And today, I think I’ll go for a run

 
SENIOR TRACK AND FIELD TEAM RETAIN PREMIER STATUS
 
Following day two of the National Senior Track and Field leagues in Athlone and in Santry, the club has retained its premier status for the 2010 season. In Santry, we finished 4th on the day, just 4 points behind third placed North Down and overall we finished 12th of the 16 teams which keeps us where we want to be as the bottom two teams drop down to division one.
In day one in Cork we gathered 63 points which left us 14th overall and on the second day we scored 87 points giving us a total of 150 points and this moved us up two further places to 12th position, just one point behind Shercock who were 11th. The top 8 teams qualify for the final and we were just 19 points short of this total which should be a realistic aim for us next year. Also with so many fine young athletes coming through the juvenile club, our aim is to enter a ladies team in division one of the leagues next year. These leagues prove to be very enjoyable and are very important in developing club spirit among our members of the various disciplines.
 
Results from Santry:
Clonliffe Harriers 116
Leevale   105
North Down   91
West Waterford  87
Ballymena and Antrim 82
DSD   78
Crusaders   76
 
Overall Team Standings
Clonliffe Harriers   234
Meath     215
St. Abbans   205
Raheny Shanrocks   194
Leevale    193
Tullamore Harriers   183
North Down    181
Mannapians    169
Ballymena and Antrim  168
DSD     154
Shercock    151
West Waterford   150
Donore Harriers   134
Crusaders    123
Galway    93
Donegal    6
 
BALLINAMEELA ROAD RACE

The inaugural Ballinameela 3 mile and 5 mile road race will take place on Friday, August 21st. In conjunction with our own club, it is being organised by the Ballinameela Community Centre Committee and it will be staged the Friday after the final race in the Ger Wyley sports summer series, the Ardmore 5. It will be run over a very flat course and it should be well worth a visit.
 
UPCOMING RACES

The third race of the Outfield Sports 3 counties challenge, The Morris Oil Piltown 10k, takes place this Friday night, July 17 at 7.30 pm. The fourth and final race of the series, the Carraig Hotel Deadman’s 5 will be held on Friday, August 7 with a 7.30 pm start.
The third race of the Ballycotton summer series will be held as usual on the 4th Thursday of the month which is July 23rd and the venue is the two lap course of Churchtown South, a fast and popular course. This race has an 8 pm start and is always well represented with West Waterford athletes.

CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP

The club championship results after 8 races of the summer series are as follows:
Men’s Results:
Senior Phillip Harty
0/35 PJ Guinan
0/40 Johnny O’ Connor
0/45 Martin McCarthy
0/50 Gerry Cantwell
0/55 Joe Gough
Junior: Ciaran Lane
 
Ladies Results:
 
Senior Corinna Walsh
0/35  Brigid Coffey
0/40 Ann Dunford
0/45 Josie Ui Chuirrin
0/55 Helene Hayes
0/60Terry Gough

MAGICAL MAGEEAN TAKES SILVER. 

Ciara Mageean of Lisburn AC has put Irish women’s middle distance running back on the map by finishing taking Silver medal at the World Youth Championships in Sudtirol, Italy running 2.03.07, a new Junior Irish record. This phenomenal time smashes the Irish Junior 800m record of 2:05.38, she set at the Irish Schools Championships in May when breaking Sonia O’Sullivan’s 1987 record of 2:05.72. Kenya’s Cherono Koech won the race in 2.01.67 in a Championship Record with Britain’s Rowena Cole 2.03.83 in third. Mageean’s time was also inside the previous Championship Best. This exceptionally talented athlete is only 17 and this time also stands as a youth record and puts her on top of the 800m Irish Senior rankings for 2009 by almost two seconds and in the top 7 All-time Irish Ranking list in the 800m.Mageean will be back in the track next week when she competes in 1500m at the European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) in Tampere, Finland.

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