GER WYLEY / NIKE SUMMER SERIES RACE 10

RAIVIS CLINCHES VICTORY AT ARDMORE
Last Friday evening the An Tobar Ardmore 5 brought a fitting end to this year’s Ger Wyley Sports /Nike summer series which was hosted by West Waterford athletic club.  The previous races up to this had all experienced record entries and the ever popular Ardmore 5 was no exception. It was anticipated that the race would reach the 200 mark and we weren’t far out as a grand total of 199 athletes toed the line for the final race of the series. This really was a fantastic turn out for the An Tobar sponsored event which certainly pleased the organisers and sponsor alike who put so much effort into such an event and all parties will be well pleased with the outcome.

The rain that threatened all evening held off for the duration of the race which made running conditions quite favourable and as a result some great performances were witnessed on the night. With it being the final race of a ten race series it was inevitable that many would give it their all with places on the division tables to be fought for. There were some great battles fought along the 5 mile route and all were well pleased with the final result. I don’t think anyone will be more pleased than the overall winner Raivis Zakis who beat the pre-race favourite Sandis Bralitis to record his fourth victory in the series. Having won in 2006 and 2007, it was expected that Sandis would record a three-in – row but such was not to be.  Raivis was second in this race last year but really upped it a gear and came home a clear winner in a time of 25.05, 31 seconds ahead of the second placed Sandis. Raivis’ time for last year was 26.30, which shows how well his training is going at the moment. At the beginning of the race, there was a group of four that led it out with Sandis at the helm initially with Raivis very close by and in hot pursuit was East Cork’s Sean McGrath and club mate of Raivis and Sandis, Rory Moloney. With the downhill on the first mile, they recorded a fast 4.59 with Raivis and Sandis now matching each other stride for stride. The second mile was slightly slower at 5.08 and the third mile was 5.11. It was from here on that Raivis upped the ante which saw him pulling away to take ultimate control and he dominated the remainder of the race to come home a well deserved winner. Raivis passed the four mile mark in 4.56 and the final mile was covered in 4.49. It certainly was a tactical race at its best for Raivis. This was his fourth victory in the series with Sandis also recording four victories as well. Sandis had just eight seconds to spare over East Cork’s Sean McGrath and Rory Moloney will be delighted to have finished in fourth position overall. This is a big improvement on his seventh placing of last year and Rory was the first junior athlete to finish on the night.

Some great times were recorded by many of the runners. St. Joseph’s Peter Duggan had to put in a titanic effort over the last few metres to thwart the efforts of Clonmel’s Valera Turcan. Peter just got in under 27 minutes, clocking 26.59 and Valera was just on 27 minutes even. Joe Kelly, Alan Lyons and Patrick O’ Riordan were all well under 30 minutes for the distance. Garret Byrne, Declan Power and Des Feeney were unlucky to be on the other side of 30 minutes but nonetheless great running from the trio. Tomas Coleman is in fine form presently and was clocked at 31.29 as is Paul Brunnock who finished in 31.41. Michael Hennessy, running on home turf, also had a good run to record 36.18. Marie O’ Gorman will be pleased to have finished inside the 40 minute barrier with 39.50. Andrea Gaffney was another to break the 40 minute barrier with 39.49, well upon her time of 40.51 from last year. One performance that can’t go without a mention is that of Inese Melne. Inese ran a blinder last Friday night and finished with a time of 36.04. This was a top drawer performance for the ever improving Inese and no doubt we will see some great running from her over the next few months. Her significant improvement can be gauged from the fact that for the same race last year she recorded 40.17, well over 4 minutes faster this year than last year. Well done Inese.

In the ladies it was a worthwhile trip for Thurles Croke’s athlete Madelene Dorney as she claimed the top spot in the ladies’s race. Madelene was second to West Waterford’s Corinna Walsh at the Deadman’s 5 the previous week so it was going to a tough race for both. Adele Walsh and Jackie Carty were also main contenders going in to the race and with athletes such as these it shows what a high standard there is in ladies racing around these parts. Madelene led out the race clocking 5.50 for the first mile with Corinna, Adele and Jackie Carty in close proximity.  Last year the first female Lucy Brennan was under 30 minutes and it looked like Madelene was going to break 30 minutes as well and she almost did, finishing with 30.01. It was between Corinna and Adele for second spot and at four miles the two were side by side. Both made an attempt to break away but each time the other matched the intensity and the effort of the other.  It was on the descent in to the village that Adele made another attempt and pushed for home and this move saw her finally take the second spot with Corinna finishing in third place. Jackie Carty, who has won this prestigious races many times before had to settle for fourth place on the night in a time of 30.35. The Noel Faherty cup for the first lady finisher was presented to Madelene Dorney by race sponsor Ken Pallister. Our thanks to Ken for that. Thanks also to the Faherty family and the Ryan family also for their continued input to the race.

ZODIAC SIGNS

The Zodiac signs competition is a unique element to the Ardmore race and brings great banter and fun into the event.  This is where each male and female runner race for the honour of being the first in their particular star sign.

The following are the list of winners for this year.

• ARIES: Danny Smith (Ballynonty AC) and Mary Burke (Waterford AC)
• TAURIS: Frank Hayes (East Cork) and Cathy Cronin
• GEMINI: Rory Moloney (WWAC) and Joan Mahoney (WAC)
• CANCER: Tony Fogarty (Thurles Crokes) and Mary Lowry
• LEO: Trevor Mason (WWAC) and Brea Cooke (WAC)
• VIRGO: Larry Kennedy (WAC) and Kathleen Kenneally (WAC)
• LIBRA: Brian O’ Connor (Grange-Fermoy) and Susan Finn (WAC)
• SCORPIO: Joe Walsh and Jackie Carty (Kilmore)
• SAGITTARIUS: Patrick O’ Riordan (WWAC) and Niamh Fleming (Grange-Fermoy)
• CAPRICORN: Peter Duggan (St. Joseph’s) and Andrea Gaffney (WWAC)
• AQUARIUS: Martin McCarthy (WWAC) and Maggie Dunne (Grange-Fermoy)
• PISCES: Eoin Dullea (WAC) and Cait Caulfield (St. Senan’s)

PRESENTATION AT AN TOBAR
After the race the presentation of prizes took place at An Tobar courtesy of our race sponsor Ken Pallister.  We would like to thank Ken Pallister and all his staff at An Tobar, for their kind hospitality and also their welcome sponsorship of the race, plus on behalf of the runners a big thanks to them for the sandwiches they were very welcome. A special word of thanks must go to West Waterford club man Michael Hennessey and all his helpers and stewards who once again looked after the organising of the race in Ardmore, a job well done by all. Everything went like clockwork on the night, to Ardmore G.A.A. club for the kind use of their fine club   facilities, which was much appreciated. To our hard working club administrators who ensured the smooth running of the race. To Breda Cantwell and Bernie Wade who as usual with their invaluable assistance had everything well under control. Thanks also to Jacinta, Vince and Mary Tutty. A special word of thanks also must go to Skerries who was on hand throughout the night taking snap shots of the race and the prize-giving. This was much appreciated by the club and all will agree that he did a fine job.

A full end of summer series report will feature in next week’s notes.

TQS RUNNING LEAGUE

YEV IS ON THE BALL FOR ROUND 7

Given the underfoot conditions and the inclement weather we have been experiencing during this summer there was a great turnout for the seventh and penultimate stage of the T.Q.S. League on Tuesday night last.  In fact everyone taking part has improved so much fitness wise, that on this occasion there were record numbers home before Liam clicked the clock for the final time as it struck zero.  Of the 50 or so athletes participating on the night only 11 were slower than their predicted time.  The usual suspects were all lining up in the finishing tunnel but there can only be one winner, and this honour on the night went to Yevgeniy Chizhikov who runs the 2 laps as a speed session and on this occasion it certainly paid off.  This was a great win for Yev, who has come close on a few occasions to the winner’s enclosure.  This win earned him 30 precious points which sees him jump to the top of the T.Q.S. Champions League Table and in pole position with 127 points.  He takes over from long time leader Norma Wall who held an 8 point lead after week 6.  Norma, who has already had 2 wins in this league finished 46 seconds too fast and so she did not earn any points on this occasion. So can Yev break the points record for this league, which was set last year by Onra Power with a point’s tally of 141?  Come along next week and find out.

Consistency seems to be the order of the day in this very popular league as finishing just 4 seconds behind Yev was another athlete who came second in week 3-Áine Lynch.  Liam Kavanagh followed Áine home and if anyone knows anything about consistent running it’s Liam as he has finished just 2 seconds off the pace on two previous occasions.  Dermot O Sullivan from Cork who participates in many of our leagues was only 9 seconds out followed closely by Patrick Riordan at just 10 seconds out.

In second place on the Champions League Table is an athlete who is having a fantastic season this year.  Forced to rest with an injury in 2006 and most of 2007 Corinna Walsh is making 2008 her own and the T.Q.S. league is certainly within her grasp.  Corinna has already finished second and third in previous weeks and followed this with another 20 points on Tuesday night last as she finished just 1 second before the clock.  This sees Corinna in second place overall and the magic figure of 141 is also a possibility as she currently sits on 122 points.  Also, just before the clock on this occasion was another previous winner Hugh O Connor who will have been quite happy to have been just 2 seconds to fast.  Yet another winner just finished ahead of Hugh and this was last week’s winner Aisling Hourigan. Well done Aisling you nearly made it two in a row and were only 7 seconds out.

This enjoyable league will come to a conclusion on Tuesday night next with a start time of 7 o’clock.  Remember you don’t have to have run on previous occasions: you can still come along on Tuesday and register by giving your name at the club van. It’s that simple, so many people are doing it so why not you?

SPONSORS

Events cannot be held without sponsors and here in West Waterford Athletic Club we are most fortunate to have very generous sponsors.  Their tremendous support enables us to organise and promote athletics and make them open to everyone so for this we wish to sincerely thank T.Q.S. Systems and in particular Tom and Maura Quilty for their continued support.

PRIZE-GIVING NIGHT

The prize-giving get together for the T.Q.S. and the Green Mile league will take place in Tommy Power’s in the square at 10pm on August 22.  We would like to invite all those who participated in the two leagues along for the presentation of prizes.  The top 5 on the T.Q.S. Champions League Table will receive prizes and also the top 3 finishers on each night.  As West Waterford has a one prize per athlete policy and with some athletes finishing in the top 3 on more than one occasion it was decided that they would receive a prize for their highest place finish.  This would open the door for other athletes to receive prizes and as of week 7 the list of prize-winners is as follows:

TQS RUNNING LEAGUE

• WEEK 1: ALAN CURRAN, TOMÁS COLEMAN, EARL NAVIN
• WEEK 2: NORMA WALL, CORINNA WALSH, ANN DUNFORD
• WEEK 3: ÁINE LYNCH, DECLAN HAYES, LIAM SANDFORD
• WEEK4: ANGELINE DRENNAN, TOM SCANLON, JOSIE Uí CHUIRRIN
• WEEK 5: HUGH O CONNOR, ANDREA GAFFNEY, PAT TUTTY
• WEEK 6: AISLING HOURIGAN, RAIVIS ZAKIS, RICHIE POWER
• WEEK 7: YEVGENIY CHIZHIKOV, LIAM KAVANAGH, DERMOT O’ SULLIVAN

GREEN MILE LEAGUE

The prizes for the West Waterford Athletic Club Green Mile League that concluded last week will also be presented on the night.  The prize-winners with a combined 3 night total on this occasion are:

Ist Johnny O Connor, 2^nd Yevgeniy Chizhikov, 3^rd Paul Brunncok,

The beginner’s prize goes to Sandra Ellard who over the course of the league managed to knock over 30 seconds from her first night time.

NEW EVENT ON THE ATHLETICS CALENDAR

The details of our new event, which we told about last week, are becoming clearer.  This race will take place on Sunday August 31 starting at Colligan Rockies/Emmets G.A.A. club and will cover a 4 mile circuit with the finish line just outside the club grounds.  These grounds are approximately 7 miles from Dungarvan on the Clonmel road.  This race will run in conjunction with the Kilbrien, Colligan and Kilgobnet parish family fun day which will be taking place at the venue.  The start time for the race will be 3 pm with registration commencing at 2.pm at the club house and the race is open to all.

With the event starting outside the Colligan club grounds we want to invite local and maybe not so local G.A.A. clubs to enter a team of 3 on the day.  Teams must be declared on the day and there will be a men’s and women’s team prize.  So gather up your club mates and come to Colligan.  I’m sure Pat Dunford will be mustering up a local team, as they will not want to be beaten on home turf!  I hear rumours of a strong Dungarvan challenge on the horizon and I’m sure Vince Donovan and Tom Condon will also have a say in the matter as well.  The entry fee for the race will be €7 for each athlete. This race will follow the normal format of any race with the addition of the GAA teams as a novelty event. So any individual out there looking to run a 4 mile race, the place to be is Colligan GAA Club on August 31st. We would like to encourage as many West Waterford athletes as possible to come along and to support the race. Now that the summer series is over and with no other road race for a long time this is the perfect opportunity to get in another race. It also makes a change from running 5 mile and 10k races. The usual prizes will be on offer.  Any locals who would like to get involved in sponsoring this new event can contact any club member.  We would like at this stage to thank Colligan G.A.A. club for the kind use of their facilities and the committee of the Kilbrien, Colligan and Kilgobnet Parish Committee for letting us hold the race in conjunction with their fun day.

UPCOMING EVENTS

O.K. so you have finished the Green Mile League and The T.Q.S. League and now you are wondering where do I go from here?  Well our club policy is to try to provide runners with a variety of leagues and we will continue this over the autumn.  Running is a habit, a very healthy habit and now that you have started why not keep it up and participate in some of the following events.

GARVEYS SUPERVALUE AUTUMN LEAGUE

The Garveys Supervalue Dungarvan Autumn League will commence on Thursday 11 September at 6.30 pm at the Friary College Dungarvan.  Registration will commence at 6.15 at the club van.  Once again the Friary College have given us permission to use their fine facilities, which are second to none.  For this we are extremely grateful as few clubs in the country have access to off road facilities of such quality.  This league will be run over 6 nights, September 11, 18, 25, October 2, 9 and 16.  The format for the league will be 1, 2, 3 or 4 laps and the usual divisions will be in place.  Once again we would like to thank Garvey’s Supervalue Dungarvan and Coolagh Road for their continued support and their sponsorship of this league. The entry fee for each night will be the usual €2 per athlete and all are welcome. Please note that you don’t have to be a member of the club to come along, all newcomers are most welcome.

ELITE PAINTBALL ONE LAP CHALLENGE

This league is most especially for beginners who might be a bit intimidated by seeing people running lap after lap of the Friary College and think “I could never do that”.  Well in association with Fit 4 Life and kindly sponsored by Jeff and Marie Allen of Elite Paintball we have a league for you.  This is a one lap league, so if you walk and jog and walk again then this is where you can meet other people starting on a fitness regime just like you.  The league is also open to regulars who want to see what time they can cover the 1.2 mile course in.  The league will commence on Tuesday September 9 and will once again run for 6 weeks taking in September 16, 23, 30, and October 7, and 14.  The start time for this league will be 7 of clock with registration taking place at the van from 6.45 on. 

CHARITY EVENT

There is another date for your diary and it is Wednesday September 3.  One of our members Ciarán Lane will be following in the footsteps of his Grandfather Con and will be going to Africa in the near future.  Ciarán will be hoping to raise a sum of money for the charity “Self Help Africa”. To this end and in conjunction with West Waterford Athletic Club there will be a fund raising event held in Colligan with the usual Colligan Cup style format.  This is a predict your time 5 mile race similar to the T.Q.S. league taking place currently.  The race will have a 6.30 start time and registration will commence at 5.45pm.  The entry fee is just €5 and we would ask all club members to support this event as it is for charity.  Ciarán and his family will also have sponsorship cards available.  So if you can’t attend the race you can still support this worthy cause.

GARVEY’S SUPERVALUE DUNGARVAN CROSS COUNTRY CHALLANGE

The Garvey’s Super Value Dungarvan Cross Country Challenge will once again take place at the Friary College (by kind permission) on Sunday October 12 at 2.30 pm.  This Cross Country event will incorporate the County Novice Championships for both men and women.  This is the first cross country event of the season and is open to regulars and also has a beginner’s category.  The regulars will run a 4 lap course for men and a 2 lap course for women, with the beginners running over 1 or 2 laps as they choose.  Once again we would like to sincerely thank our sponsors for this event Garvey’s Supervalue Dungarvan for their continued support of our races.  We will provide you with more information on these races closer to the dates, so for now just add them to the diary.

BALLYCOTTON 5 2008

For those of you that run the Ballycotton summer series, the final race will be held next Thursday night August 28 and it has a 7.30 p.m. start. There are quite a few West Waterford athletes that have run the previous three races and club member Raivis Zakis will be looking to get four from four in the series. We will include a full report on each person’s placings in the series in next week’s notes.

BLARNEY HALF MARATHON

The St. Finbarr’s AC organised Cork Half Marathon will be held again this year in Blarney and will as it has in previous years host the Munster Half Marathon championships as part of the race on the day. It will be held on Sunday 14 September at 11 a.m. More details on entry forms next week.

NATIONAL HALF MARATHON IN WATERFORD

As mentioned last week, the entry forms for the National Half Marathon in Waterford are available from Albert’s shop. If interested, these forms need to be collected, filled in and returned to Albert’s with the entry fee of €10 before Thursday 19th. Each person’s registration number will be filled in by the club secretary so no need to worry about that.

BUDAPEST MARATHON

Looking to do a marathon fairly soon or just to get away for a few days?  Jacinta has informed us that there are six places available on the club trip to Budapest. The flights are leaving from Dublin on Friday October 3 and returning on Tuesday October 7th. If interested please contact Court Travel before August 23rd.

CONGRATULATIONS

The club extends its congratulations to Ray and Bojana Moore on the recent birth of their baby son. Health and happiness to you all for the future.

PHENOMENAL SUCCESS FOR KATE VEALE AT BRITISH AAA

Following on from her fantastic win at the Celtic International in Perth, Scotland, Kate was in action yet again at the British AAA in Birmingham. Kate was competing in the 3000 metres walk and had one of her most successful wins to date. Not only did she blitz the opposition but she also set a new British record. As we all know in athletics, records are hard to break but in true Kate Veale style, she not only set a new record but broke the old one by over 50 seconds. This is certainly one record that won’t be beaten for a long time, if ever. All at the Senior Club extend their heartiest congratulations to Kate on her well deserved win.

JAMIE’S BIG DAY

With all the preparation and fine tuning complete, Jamie Costin will embark on one of the most prestigious events of his fine athletic career. This Friday, August 22, Jamie will compete in one of the longest endurance events on the Athletics programme in Beijing, the 50km walk. Having made a miraculous come back since his injury, he is now at his very best and in peak condition to undertake the task in hand. The club is very proud of Jamie and all his achievements to date and we wish him the very best on Friday. We hope as many of you as is possible will tune in and watch our fellow club member realise his dream by competing in the Olympic Games. Jamie will be well supported by club members James Veale, Gerry Cantwell and Jim Fleming who have made the journey to Beijing and who along with Jamie’s friends and family will be cheering him all the way to the finish line. We wish the very best of luck to Jamie.