Build-Up Begins For 18th Annual Quantum Life Dungarvan 10.
West Waterford Athletic Club is encouraging athletes fun runners alike to start their build up for the 18th Annual Quantum Life Dungarvan 10 mile road race. The Race, formerly known as Dunphy Vivas Health Dungarvan 10, has become an annual fixture in Ireland’s athletics calendar attracting elite and club competitors as well as local participants ranging from beginners to experienced runners.
The Quantum Life Dungarvan 10 will take place on Sunday 1st February 2009, beginning at 1.00pm.The race headquarters has now moved from the traditional Dungarvan Crystal sports centre to the town’s community Sports Centre located at Quanns, which gives the race much need extra space as the numbers have increased significantly over recent years. The initial race had in the region of 70 athletes, last year’s race witnessed a record entry of over 700 and this year it is expected to exceed well beyond 1,000 runners. The 2009 race was launched in the presence of Mr. Mel Shanley Quantum Life Ireland and Mr Billy Kyne, Dungarvan Deputy town mayor along with members of the race committee from the host club, West Waterford A.C.
The key sponsors of the race are Quantum Life and for the first time this year, Dungarvan Town Council are welcome associate sponsors which the race committee and main sponsor are delighted with. Teas, sandwiches, showers and changing facilities plus the presentation of prizes will all take place at Dungarvan Sports Centre. Mr Mel Shanley of Quantum Life spoke at the launch saying that Quantum Life are delighted to be sponsoring the Dungarvan 10 where participants will have the opportunity to run in one of the best organised 10 mile road races in the country with all levels of runners catered for as is the West Waterford Athletic Club’s policy. The 2008 event brought together the ideal race combination of fun runners, joggers, club athletes and top class internationals who competed over a fast flat 10 mile course around the historic town of Dungarvan.Mr Shanley who heads up Quantum Life in Ireland spoke of his companies business strategy which is based on the following philosophy: We believe in focusing on our core competence of using actuarial techniques to deliver innovative and customised life assurance products for selected distribution partners. We deliberately outsource everything else. Quantum Life only undertakes bespoke product assignments. We do not develop products for general distribution. We will only develop a product idea when we have a committed source of distribution. It is this approach that allows us to customise each product to the specific requirements of each target group of our distribution partner. Quantum Life has an enviable record for bringing innovative product ideas to the market. We believe that innovation is the lifeblood of our business.
The race on February 1st has a new starting line at the Youghal Road, the very flat and fast course remains relatively unchanged from previous years with just the start and finish in new locations. 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 long sleeved running shirt and a substantial goodie bag as well as of course the personal satisfaction of completing the event.
Last year’s event attracted a top class field and was won by Sergiu Turea of Clonliffe Harriers who finished the race in 50.18.North Belfast harriers Mary Margaret Meade 58.59 was the first female finisher.
The entry fee to this prestigious race is €15. 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. While participants are encouraged if at all possible to enter early, entries will also be taken on the day at a charge of €20. The closing date for online and postal entries will be Friday January 23rd. All race numbers and race chip will be posted out. Entries on race day will close at 12.15 p.m. sharp.
With the recent surge of interest in running for health, fun and fitness in the county 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 February 1st.
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. "See you Déise side on Feb 1st.”
For further information please contact James 086-8184762 or info@westwaterfordathletics.org
ALLROUNDER SPORTS WINTER LEAGUE IS WELL AND TRULY
UNDERWAY.
They say time flies when you’re having fun and the weeks are certainly flying by in the ever-popular winter league. We are heading into the 5th night tonight and with the league being a 15-week league, we are practically one-third of the way there. Everybody seems well established and settled into the league, which is very much evident in the improvement in fitness levels and times recorded. We are glad to report that we still have a significant amount of newcomers each week. We can’t stress enough how welcome everyone is. We know that it’s not possible for many to make every night so please come along any night that you can. We cater for all levels and seeing as this league was established with the newcomer in mind, newcomers are all the more welcome. No previous running experience is required whatsoever. Just come along to the Sports Centre, Quanns, any Wednesday night and we’ll set you on the way to a healthier and fitter you in just a few short weeks. There is just four weeks remaining before we break for Christmas (3 after tonight) and a lot can be achieved in four weeks, so come on down to the Sports Centre around after 6.45 p.m. any Wednesday night and see for yourself what it’s all about. The fee each night is €2 for members and €3 for non-members. As it’s based on a handicap system, each person is trying to improve on their time from the previous week. It’s not the fastest person that wins but the person that improves their time the most, in this way it’s open to all and everyone is on an equal footing. It’s this aspect of the league that makes it so enjoyable and motivating. The best improved person each night may have the slowest time but still makes them the winner on the night. Your time is recorded each night and all each person aims for is to run a little faster the next week. 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.
2.5 MILE ROUTE
CARMEL’S HOUR
Carmel Hourigan was an athlete that certainly caught the eye last week as she pulled off a top-drawer performance to go from 25.13 in week 3 to 23.29 in week four. This gallant effort from Carmel meant that she was the fourth best improver on the night and also pushed her way up on the division tables. She is currently in 9th place overall on the division tables on 166 points. Carmel was the third best improver on week 3 and to be among the top improvers two weeks in a row is a fair achievement to say the least. It was certainly a family affair on the night as sister Joanne won the title of best improver on the night. The previous week Joanne was the 95th best improver, what a difference a week makes. Something tells me that brother Pat is putting them through their paces! Well done girls, keep up the good work. There were a total of 126 that took part in the 2.5-mile route, which was great to see, and as always, when the crowd is big the effort and intensity of all participants is increased. Michelle McKee and Marion Moloney pushed each other all the way to the finishing line recording 21.54 and 21.55 respectively. Kelly Cantwell is another to be making nice steady progress as the weeks go by. She looks set to break 25 minutes in the next few weeks. Brona O’ Neill was only a mere second outside of 19 minutes and Fiona O’ Riordan was the same margin outside of 22 minutes. Sharon Nugent has decided to join sisters Paula and Denise in the league and is doing very well at the moment. Sisters Anita and Sarah Power are taking the league in their stride also and Ita and Mark Mason seem to be picking up a tip or two from Trevor about running. Last week we printed the top improvers and also the 10th, 20th, 30th best improver and so on down the line. This gives people an indicator on how they are improving and also provides a target for them to achieve.
The top five improvers for week 4 were as follows:
1. Joanne Breen
2. Tomas Zacek
3. Hana Dvorakova
4. Carmel Hourigan
5. Jamie Organ
The remainder are as follows:
10th Micheal Ó Cuirrín
20th Pearl Veale
30th Mick Verling
40th Orla O’ Mahony
50th Michael Dunford
60th Eimear Radley
70th Maud Cunningham
80th Michael Morrissey
90th Christine McCarthy
100th Louise Curran
110th Emma Duffy
120th Nan O’ Brien
The above results are based on week four. We keep a record of everyone’s finishing position each week which go towards the division tables. These change every week. Last week Bernard Macken and Craig Keyworth were joint leaders. This week’s leader is George Tutty on 96 points. This means that over the course of the 4 weeks gone in the league, George has improved the most. However, as already mentioned these change weekly and could easily be any one of the 2.5-mile participants.
The following are the overall top ten in the league so far.
1. George Tutty 96
2. Bernard Macken 99
3. John Foley 129
4. Paula Lenihan 144
5. Eileen Moore 150
6. Denise Breen 155
7. Eimear Radley 164
8. Craig Keyworth 165
9. Carmel Hourigan 166
10. Liam Moore 169
MICHAEL ON THE MOVE
Week four saw the long route runners being led home by Michael Dwyer in a time of 31.45. Michael is no stranger to running over a variety of distances and is enjoying the winter league immensely. He’ll have to keep up the training as Sean is running better than ever and recording some super times and will catch him one of these nights. Second home was Ciaran Lane in 43.22. Ann Moroney who recently completed and won a medal in the Dublin City Marathon was the third best improver on the night with a time of 41.49. Tara Roche and Pat O’ Connell ran exactly the same time and so were the 4th and 5th best improvers for week four. We have been so fortunate with the weather over the past number of weeks and conditions each night have been perfect for running, fingers crossed that it will last. After tonight, there’s just three more nights before Christmas and no doubt many of us have a target time in mind that we would like to achieve before Christmas. It was a little bit more difficult last week as instead of the usual 30-second intervals, runners were let off in minute intervals. If you can try and stay in the group you started with, you’ll be doing well. 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. For week 3 Brigid Blackwell was the 30th best improver and a week later she moved up to 17th position. Well-done Brigid. Andrea Gaffney also moved well up, from 60th to 46th. Earl Navin and Denise Nugent really pulled out all the stops last week. Earl moved from 130th best improver to 59th and Denise from 140th to 24th. This is some improvement and no doubt there’s more to come. The following are the best improvers for week 4:
1. Michael Dwyer
2. Ciaran Lane
3. Ann Moroney
4. Tara Roche
5. Pat O’ Connell
10. Carmel Corcoran
20. Jenny Kirwan
30. Alice Fitzgerald
40. Donagh Cummins
50. Bridget Hannigan
60. Tom Condon
70. Eamon Flavin
80. Ray Curran
90. Camille Mulhearne
100. Josie Ui Chuirrin
110. Johnny O’ Connor
120. Jason Dee
130. Keith Redmond
140. Niall Walsh
150. Tom Moroney
We mentioned the overall division tables last week. It’s not until after Christmas that they will come in to place. Last week’s leader was Kenneth O’ Donnell but he was knocked off the top spot by Keith Kenneally who leads on 189 points. Just to give you an idea of how the division tables are faring out at the moment, here are the top ten leaders, which do change weekly.
1. Keith Kenneally 189
2. Kenneth O’ Donnell 211
3. Michelle Flynn 222
4. Padraig Flynn 222
5. Paul McGrath 237
6. John Leahy 244
7. Norma Wall 244
8. JJ Henley 250
9. Jason Travers 253
10. Bridget Hannigan 255
HELENE AND ELLEN HIT THE TARGET
We introduced a new system last week whereby the runners whose finishing position matches that day’s date win a prize from the all rounder Lucky Dip. Last Wednesday night was November 19th so the two people that finished in 19th position in both the long and the short route claimed a prize. These two lucky winners were Helene Hayes in the long route and Ellen Walsh in the short route. Well-done girls. When you register tonight, let us know and you can have a go at the lucky dip. As tonight is the 26th, the two finishers in 26th position tonight will be this week’s winners. The very best of luck to everybody.
WINTER LEAGUE FINISHING TUNNEL
Now that we’re all well into the swing of the winter league and its relevant safety rules, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for obeying these rules. They are there for the safety of each runner and must be obeyed each night. We would like to ask you all to stay in line at the finishing tunnel until you have reached the stairs. The finishing positions must be recorded twice and those ducking out under the tape are preventing this from happening and it causes confusion with the results. Please, please stay in line. Should you see anyone doing so please ask them to refrain from doing so. Many thanks.
WEST WATERFORD MASTERS TEAMS TO CONTEST MUNSTER CHAMPIONSHIPS.
The Munster Masters cross country championships are down for decision on next Sunday November 30th in Carrig Na Bhfear.Co.Cork and the following are the West Waterford teams entered.
Ladies-Diane Behan, Brigid Coffey, Ann Dunford, Anne Whelan, Eilish Ni hAodha, Josie Uí Chuirrin, Bernie Prendergast, Margaret Power.
Men-P.J.Guinan,. Des Feeney, Tomás Coleman, Trevor Mason, Kenneth O’Donnell, Joe Kelly, Yevgeni Chizikov, Tomas O’Mahony, Benji Whelan, Garry McCormack, Johnny O’Conner, Vincent Tutty, Harry O’Brien, Michael Wade, Richie Kelly, Tom Moroney, Colin Lyons, Michael Deegan, Michael Hennessey and Michael McCarthy.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING.
Our Annual general meeting will be held at 8.30 pm on Thursday December 4th next
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.
CLUB ANNUAL 2009.
Our Club Annual is starting to take shape with much work going on behind the scenes. The Annual will go on sale much earlier than previous years with The Colligan cup day February our target. Anyone who has any articles to be included is asked to e-mail it to <mailto:jveale@cablesurf.com> jveale@cablesurf.com pronto please. We would especially like to see some articles from our Juvenile members, which can be written on any aspect of athletics.
RUNNING QUOTE.
Why run a race, you race to test yourself, for the ritual, the camaraderie, and for the adventure and discovery.
SYMPATHY.
West Waterford Athletic Club extend sincere sympathy to the families and friends of Pat Christopher Ballylemon, Dungarvan and Michael Lyons 28 McCarthy Ville, Abbeyside, whose death’s occurred last week. May they rest in peace.
RAIVIS WINS IN INNISCARRA 4 .
Raivis Zakis took part in the B.H.A.A.organised Murphy Memorial 4 mile road race in Inniscarra last Sunday. Having finished second last year he went one better this time out when taking the victory in a time of 21.24.
GREAT DAYS RUNNING IN WOODIES ALL IRELAND CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS ON TRAMORE RACE COURSE.
Despite the windy and at times wet weather conditions last Sunday the All Ireland cross country championships went off with out a hitch on Tramore race course, Hosted by Waterford AC everything was organised to perfection with a testing course provided for both Juveniles and Seniors alike. Competition was of the highest and medals were scarce, however some of our young Juveniles did secure provincial and county medals, which was no mean feat. (Full report in juvenile notes) In the Junior Men’s race the club had one athlete qualified to compete and he ran very well. Rory Moloney came home in a creditable 28th place in what was a very fast race, Rory received a silver county medal with Waterford for his efforts as the sixth scoring team member. In the Senior Men’s race Sandis Bralitis finished an excellent 19th working his way through the field. DSD athlete Alan McCormack took his first senior title here with a very well paced run relegating Westmeath’s Mark Christie into second spot with Donegal’s Gary Murray third. Sean Stilwell competing under 23-finished 23rd in that category which was also run over 10.000 meters the same as the senior men’s race. Corinna Walsh was our sole representative in the Senior Ladies race finishing 31st after a very consistent and evenly paced run. The overall winner of the ladies race was Linda Byrne DSD taking her first title at senior level she is also under 23,with her namesake Deirdre Byrne Wicklow second and another DSD athlete Hazel Murphy was third. So all in all another great days athletics in Waterford.
