ALLROUNDER SPORTS WINTER LEAGUE
€1,300 RAISED FOR S.E.R.T.
The support and generosity of the winter league runners seems to have no bounds as last week a grand total of €1,300 was raised for the South East Radiotherapy Trust. This is a most worthy and deserving cause and all at the league are to be commended for donating so generously. This fundraising night has always generated huge funds for the charity in question and the members of S.E.R.T. were delighted to accept the cheque. Each runner’s entry fee was donated and a sincere thanks goes to each and every one of the runners as everyone gave so much more. Ann Moroney, Noel Devereaux and Elizabeth Walsh were present on the night and accepted the cheque on behalf of the organisation. We would like to thank them for being present on the night and we wish them well in their future fundraising endeavours.
FINE PERFORMANCES FOR FINAL NIGHT AS TOM “POWERS” HOME
The final night of the league before Christmas saw many really up the intensity of their runs and produce some fine runs on the night. The weather played a part in this, with it possessing ideal running conditions. There were many personal bests recorded in both routes with many looking to push themselves up the division ladders a little more before the end of 2008. Last week’s handicaps were slightly different to the usual system in that runners were let off in groups with three minute intervals. Essentially, this meant that in any one group there was a difference of up to three minutes between some of the runners. This is what brought on the improvement of some as they did their best to stay with these runners and it provided some motivation and incentive to keep on going. The first home and the best improver for last week in the long route was Tom Power who ran in a time of 43.23. Well done Tom. You were the most improved out of a field of 125 runners, a fair achievement to say the least. The second best improver was Craig Keyworth in 46.46 and Pat Moore will be happy to learn that he was the third best improver on the night. The others to fill the top ten best improvers list were Michael Moloney, Brett Lynam, Joan Navin, Des Feeney, Hugh Walsh, Keith Redmond and Alan Curran (74). Well done to you all. Regina Byrne has shown considerable improvement since she rejoined the league a few weeks ago. Her time for last week was 42.01. Pa Reilly was very close to breaking 46 minutes, clocking 46.07 exactly. Earl Navin did well to run just under 41 minutes; he had a second to spare with 40.59. James Veale and Camille Mulhearne are edging closer and closer to breaking 44 minutes, recording 44.01 and 44.02 respectively. Having signed up for the Quantum Life Dungarvan 10, Caroline Russell was all business last week and was pleased with her sub 50 minute run.
A great run by Bernard Walshe (44.51) has earned for him the top spot in the division tables and he possesses a fine lead with a 34 point advantage over Angeline Drennan who has previously been in the lead. The performance of the night most definitely belongs to Sean Dwyer. Sean has trained so diligently over the last few months and his run last week of 37.27 is phenomenal to say the least and judging by that run, he is going to have some season come the New Year. Well done Sean on a fine performance, well deserved.
The top ten people in the overall division tables are as follows:
1. Bernard Walshe 359
2. Angeline Drennan 393
3. Cyril Flavin 403
4. Michael Dunford 411
5. Liam O’ Brien 421
6. Maurice Foley 426
7. Gary McCormack 428
8. Bryan Kirwan 440
9. Noel Hogan 452
10. Alice Fitzgerald 454
TOP MARKS FOR AIDAN
A total of 62 runners took on the short route last week at the winter league. Although the numbers were down somewhat, the same could not be said about the performances of the runners. There were some real battles fought between some of the runners and many can go end the year on a high in the knowledge that they have run faster than they ever have before. Best on the night was Aidan Ahearne who led the pack home after a fine run. Jim Fleming who is really showing great form of late was the second best on the night. Christy Murphy filled the third spot after a terrific performance. Newcomer to the league Catherine Dunne is also on the list of the top ten so well done to you Catherine. The others on the best improved list are John Foley, Amanda Murphy, former winner Jennifer Ui Dhuibhir, Margaret O’ Connell, Michelle O’ Connell and Denise Breen. Well done to you all. Other performances of note on the night were from Orla O’ Mahony who clocked 20.42. Aisling Hourigan was slightly over 22 minutes and Paddy Lannen was on top form to record 29.42 on the night. Onra Power ran really well to clock 21.01 and hot on her heels was Paul O’ Dwyer in 21.05 and Adam Green in 21.07. Well done to you all.
John Foley has now established a significant lead in the short route and has extended his lead by 81 points over second placed Bernard Macken who has 241 points. There are seven nights of the league after Christmas and anything can happen so it’s all to play for. The following are the top ten in the overall division tables:
1. John Foley 160
2. Bernard Macken 241
3. George Tutty 279
4. John Dillon 296
5. Eileen Moore 304
6. Michael Dunford 309
7. Paul O’ Dwyer 329
8. Carmel Hourigan 347
9. Denise Breen 351
10. Eimear Radley 356
WINTER LEAGUE BEGINNING TO TAKE SHAPE
The winter league will really begin to take shape after Christmas. The practice at the league is that after Christmas the runners are put into divisions. The top five after last week will be in division one, the next five in division two and so on down the line. This applies for both the long league and the short league. You remain in the same division but depending on your run each night you may move up or down in your division. Obviously, each person’s goal will be to move to the top of their division. There are seven nights remaining in the league. The league resumes on Wednesday night, January 7th and continues every Wednesday night until Wednesday February 18 when the overall winners will be crowned. In keeping with the winter league tradition, the league always concludes with a mystery tour on the Friday night after the last night of the league. The mystery tour involves a trip to an unknown destination where the overall winners will be announced along with a night of celebrations. More on this in the New Year.
ST. STEPHEN’S DAY JOLLY JAUNT IN ASSOCIATION WITH DUNGARVAN G.A.A.CLUB.
The annual charity fun run on St. Stephen’s Day will be held once again this year in association with Dungarvan G.A.A. Now that the winter league is on a break until the New Year this is another chance to get a run in over the Christmas not to mention work off the big Christmas dinner. This event has been growing in popularity over the years with last year being the most successful with record entries on the day. It’s a fun run comprising of two routes, a two mile route and a five mile route and everyone is free to run at whatever pace they feel like. All money donated on the day will go towards Chernobyl Ireland. There is no set fee as in other races, it’s at each person’s discretion but we ask that runners and walkers give generously to this worthy cause. The entries will be taken at the Dungarvan G.A.A. club where soup and sandwiches will be provided after the race. A number of spot prizes will be offered also on the day. See you at the Dungarvan G.A.A. club house at 11 a.m.
QUANTUM LIFE DUNGARVAN 10
The speed at which the entries are pouring in has escalated over the week and the number already entered has reached the 300 mark. We also received a number of overseas entries during the week so it’s all systems go from here on in until the big day. We expect that after Christmas, it will really take off and so we would like to encourage all local runners to enter then. As mentioned in last week’s notes, we will have a desk at the winter league where locals will be able to enter for this race. The pre-entry fee is €15 and entry on the day is €20 so it makes sense to get your entry in early.
RISE TO THE CHALLENGE
Are you running the league and perhaps contemplating running the ten mile run in February? Maybe you’re not too sure if you are capable of doing so or perhaps you think you may have bitten off more than you can chew? With consistent training, the ten mile is well within your capabilities. Just take a look at what you are currently running in a week. If you are training twice a week, try and increase this to three runs a week and likewise if you are running three times try and increase this to four times a week. Pick one evening a week in which you will increase the distance that you normally run, we call this the long run day. As each week passes, increase the long run gradually and either keep the other runs the same distance or increase these ever so slowly. There’s nobody out there that will say that a ten mile is easy, it’s not but it’s certainly doable if the training is done. Use the Christmas break to get out there and find out for yourself what you are really capable of. Please don’t increase the distance you run too quickly, i.e. if running three miles don’t try and run eight miles, it should be a gradual and slow increase and you will improve all the more by following this simple guideline. We are back in action at the winter league on Wednesday night, January 7th where we will be available for advice and support. If you are serious about training over the Christmas and want to be posted in the right direction, why not send us an e-mail at info@westwaterfordatheletics.org, let us know what you’re running at the moment and we’ll help you run your first ten mile.
HELP WANTED FROM RUNNERS AND NON-RUNNERS
The club is glad to report that we have had a great response to our appeal for helpers and volunteers for our Quantum Life Dungarvan 10 mile road race on February 1st. It will be without doubt the biggest undertaking ever in our busy calendar of events and we need all the help we can get. While we have a number of names and we sincerely thank these people for offering their help we are still on the look out for some more helpers. Even if you can only be available for an hour or two, we would really appreciate your support. Tony Ryan is the steward co-ordinator and can be contacted at 087 7657805 and if available to help out on the catering side of things, please contact Norma Wall at 087 9385965. Many thanks.
EUROPEAN ATHLETICS CHAMPIONS TO DEFEND THEIR TITLES IN DUBLIN.
Ukrainian legend Serhiy Lebid and the Netherlands Hilda Kibet have both confirmed that they will defend their European Cross Country titles in Dublin in 2009. Lebid will be looking for an amazing ninth title when the event makes its debut in Ireland at Santry Demesne on the 13th of December. He will be joined by Great Britain’s silver medalist Mo Farah. Senior Women’s champion Hilda Kibet who dominated the race on Sunday has also confirmed her intention to compete. This will be the first time that the SPAR European Cross Country Championships has been held in Ireland. The country has previously hosted the World Cross Country Championships on two occasions; in 1979 in Limerick when John Treacy retained his title and more recently in Leopardstown in 2002.The Irish team will be hungry to get on the podium on their home soil. This follows Mary Cullen’s brave and exciting run on Sunday, Martin Fagan’s unfortunate fall while in a very strong position and the 4th place positions of the Women’s Junior and the promising performance of our own David McCarthy in the U23 race for what will be one of the sporting spectacles of the year in Ireland.
RUNNING QUOTE.
There are few instincts more natural than the body in full motion as it races across a field or through the trees.
MUNSTER JUNIOR AND SENIOR INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS
The above championships will be held in Nenagh on Sunday, January 4th with the first event beginning at 11 a.m. The events on the day are as follows:
60mH, 60m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1,500m, 3,000m, 3K Walk, Long Jump, High Jump, Triple Jump, Shot, 56lb + 14lb. The entries for these events need to be in before the end of the month. Any club athlete that intends taking part must contact Norma Wall at 087 9385965 as soon as possible.
