TQS RUNNING LEAGUE
AISLING HOURIGAN CLAIMS THE HONOURS FOR SIXTH STAGE
Out of a total of sixty hopefuls all intent on getting their pacing right, there was one and one only that claimed the honours and this accolade went to Aisling Hourigan for the sixth round of the TQS Running League. There was a large contingent of runners all gathering together along the final stretch and well done to Aisling for getting it spot on. In actual fact, there were two groups of runners that were bunching over the final lap and with 800 metres or so to go, it looked like there would be very few that would be faster than predicted but this was not the result at the end. So many of you must have pushed on the pace over those last 800 and so there were more than half that were faster than predicted. The actual number was 35 out of a total of 60 that were too fast and the remaining 25 were slower than predicted. Raivis Zakis was close enough too as he was only one second out and Richie Power will be pleased to learn that he was a mere three seconds slower than predicted. Michelle Flynn was just seven seconds slower than she thought she would be and Pat Tutty was just ten seconds out. Pat was just three seconds out last week so he could be a major contender for the next round. Corinna Walsh and Yevgeniy Chizhikov, both of whom are using this league as speed work by running the two laps finished in 6th and 7th place, this should see them advance nicely up the league tables. Corinna is now in 2nd place on the division tables and is now a major contender for the overall league. Colm O’ Brien is no doubt wishing he had slowed down ever so slightly as this would have made him the winner, being just one second too fast earned him twenty points as opposed to the much desired 30 points as won by Aisling Hourigan who finished behind him on 0.00. Colm was on the right side of the clock last week as he was ten seconds slower than he predicted so this goes to show how difficult it can actually be to get the timing right. Onra Power was another that nearly made it into the winner’s enclosure being only 2 seconds outside of her time. Linda Bradfield almost had cause for celebration as she was only three seconds faster than predicted. Clare Walsh, yes, the same Clare Walsh that has been there or thereabouts most weeks was close enough yet again. I know who I’ll be trailing next week along with everybody else! The Walsh sisters have probably been the most consistent of us all since the beginning of the league and perhaps they will be the winners for rounds seven and eight. There are only two nights remaining in the league, it’s true what they say, time flies when you’re having fun. There’s still room for many more to come along. Many people have been asking if you have to be a member of the club or any other club and the answer is no. You don’t have to be affiliated with any club at all; the league is open to everybody above the age of 16. By the time this goes to press, there will only be one night remaining. The winner of the final stage could well be you, so come along and join in the fun. The league is held in the Friary College on Tuesday nights at 7 p.m. Registration begins at 6.45, this entails giving us your name and telling us the distance you want to do. There is a choice of one, two, three or four laps of the Friary with each lap being 1.2 miles. See you all out there.
PRIZE-GIVING NIGHT
The prize-giving night for the TQS League will be held in Tommy Powers in the square on Friday night August 22nd at 10 p.m. All those that took part in the league are most welcome to attend on the night. The winner of each night of the league will be presented with their prize along with the division winners. So put that date in your diary as a great night is in store for you all.
SPONSORS
Our sincere thanks to Tom and Maura Quilty of TQS systems for once again coming on board to sponsor this league. As always, Tom and Maura have been most generous with their sponsorship and support and their co-operation has made the league the success that it is. Many thanks.
WEST WATERFORD A.C. GREEN MILE LEAGUE
The final night of the Green Mile League was held last Thursday night in the grounds of the Friary College and thankfully the weather was much improved on the previous week. The ground is now just perfect for running and the heavy rain had no effect on the underground conditions. There was two main reasons for this league-the first was to encourage newcomers to come along and to give it a go and the second reason was to provide speed work for the regular runners so as to improve on their times and improve on their times they did. The league was held over four weeks, one night a week and the runners were divided into groups according to their ability. Last Thursday, fourteen took part with three different races. Sandra Ellard, Ruth Maher, Gormlaith de Courcey and Jenny Noctor ran in the first race. The second race was led home by an in form Kenley Street who recorded 6.30 for the mile. The third race saw Raivis Zakis first past the finishing line in a time of 5.27 and he was closely followed by Johnny O’ Connor in a time of 5.34. All enjoyed taking part in the league and are delighted with the improvement in their times. Sandra Ellard ran a mile in the first week in a time of 8.52 and three weeks after that she duly recorded 8.21 for the same distance. Well done Sandra, keep it up. Although the Green Mile League has concluded and there’s only just one night remaining in the TQS, don’t worry as we have an action packed autumn in store for you all. Over the next few weeks we will provide you with details of our upcoming leagues and fixtures with something to suit everybody. The prize giving for this league will be held in conjunction with the TQS League. This will be held in Tommy Power’s Bar on Friday night, August 22nd at 10 p.m. All are welcome to attend on the night. The winners of the league are Johnny O’ Connor, Yevgeniy Chizhikov and Paul Brunnock, these filled the top three overall places on the league tables. There is also an award to the most improved beginner which in this case is the ever improving Sandra Ellard so well done to you Sandra.
The following are the times recorded for the final night of the Green Mile League.
Race One:
1. Sandra Ellard 8.21
2. Ruth Maher 8.29
3. Gormlaith de Courcy 9.29
4. Jenny Noctor 9.50
Race Two:
1. Kenley Street 6.30
2. Johnny Murphy 7.04
3. Brigid Coffey 7.12
4. Hugh O’ Connor 7.46
5. Onra Power 8.05
Race Three:
1. Raivis Zakis 5.27
2. Johnny O’ Connor 5.34
3. Yevgeniy Chizhikov 5.50
4. Paul Brunnock 6.04
5. Dermot O’ Sullivan 6.25
Each athlete’s overall time was based on their best three nights combined.
The following are the combined times of the athletes that qualified.
Johnny O’ Connor 16.33
Yevgeniy Chizhikov 17.14
Paul Brunnock 18.21
Dermot O’ Sullivan 18.50
Brigid Coffey 21.24
Onra Power 23.55
Sandra Ellard 25.56
NATIONAL HALF MARATHON CHAMPIONSHIP
The National Half Marathon of 2008 will be held in Waterford on Sunday 7th of September. It has an eleven o’ clock start and registration takes place at the Regional Sports Centre. For the last two years it was held in Co. Donegal so many of us will welcome the return of the half marathon to the sunny southeast. As with all championship races, the entries have to be in prior to the race. There will be individual and team entries for the race. The entry forms for the race will be available from Albert McGrath’s shop from today onwards. If interested, please collect a form from Albert’s, fill in the relevant information, enclose the €10 entry fee and return to Albert’s before Thursday 19th of August. Each athlete’s registration number will be filled in by the club secretary so you don’t need to worry about that. One thing to keep in mind is that medals will only be rewarded to athletes that are registered with AAI. If you intend on running and are not registered, then you need to contact Michael Tutty, our membership officer as soon as possible in order to be registered. Medals will be awarded to the top three individual male and female runners. There will be three team prizes for both men and women, with three to score on each team. Each team’s time will be decided on the cumulative time of the scoring members of the team. There will also be the usual categories prizes. In the men’s there will be prizes for the top three in M35, M40, M45, M50, M55, M60, M65 and M70. In the women’s medals will be awarded to the top three women in F35, F40, F45, F50, F55 and F60. There will also be prizes team prizes for master’s men up to M60 and to master’s women up to F60. There are a significant number of club athletes already in training for this prestigious race and for those that haven’t started yet there is still plenty of time to get some training in. Many of the Budapest and Amsterdam bound marathon runners will also be using this race as means of gauging their training and planning their future training. Remember, all forms must be in Albert’s before Thursday August 19th. The AAI will have entries from the 32 counties so no late entries will be accepted.
GER WYLEY / NIKE SUMMER SERIES RACE NO.10.
12TH ANNUAL “AN TOBAR” ARDMORE 5 THIS FRIDAY EVENING.
How the summer has flown, Its hard to believe that we are about to run the final race in this years Ger Wyley/Nike summers series of road races which started back in April, Well believe it we must as the time has come for the final race in the 2008 series On this coming Friday evening when we travel to Ardmore for the “An Tobar” sponsored 5 mile road race. Please note the race gets under way at 7.30 pm. This will be the 12th running of this event and a large turn out is expected for the final summer series race of the year. Michael Hennessey and his team in Ardmore have all the ground work done for what we hope will be a fitting end to what has been a most successful summer series with unprecedented numbers taking part in all races. Race entries will be taken at the Ardmore G.A.A.club grounds (by kind permission). The race presentation of prizes will take place in the premises of our sponsor An Tobar and the overall series presentation will follow this, so a great night is assured and not to be missed. We appeal to all who have prizes to collect to honour our sponsors by being present.
PRIZE CATAGORIES.
As with many of our race’s we try to do something different to spread around the prizes as much as possible. With this in mind the race in Ardmore will have a different element to the prizes on offer along with awards for the first 3 senior Men and Women, the organisers will award prizes to the first Man and First Women in each of the twelve Zodiac star signs, you must declare your star sign when entering the race which is 7 Euro. This creates some interesting duels between athletes on the night. The presentation of the Ger Wyley/Nike summer series prizes will also be distributed .See you around the Tower.!!
CORINNA WALSH WINS “DEADMANS” 5 TO CLAIM OVERALL SERIES VICTORY.
The final race in the three race Carrick roadrunners summer series the Deadmans 5 was held last Friday evening and a large field of 158 runners completed the undulating Deadman’s course. Outfield Sports and Asics sponsored the series and the organisers were delighted with the success of this there second annual event. At the final race 25 from our club made the journey to Carrick and the support was much appreciated by the organisers. The race was won by Sergiu Turea Clonliffe Harriers in a time 24.48 this was also a new course record, Raivis Zakis last year’s winner had to settle for second place this time out when clocking 25.43,Shane Mullaney Thurles Crokes was third in 26.31.That Lady Corinna Walsh was once again in the top spot with another impressive display of road running taking the win in a time of 30.07.Corrina was also crowned overall ladies series winner for 2008. Madeline Downey Thurles Crokes was second Lady with a time of 30.13 and third was Laura Behan KCK in a time of 31.52,Laura took the Junior prize here, Diane Behan West Waterford was fourth Lady finisher winning the over 35 section with another good time of 32.12.Eilish Ni hAodha was 1st over 45 in 32.55,Anne Whelan was 1st over 40 Lady in 35.39 ahead of team mate Brigid Coffey who secured second over 35 with a time of 36.44.Raivis was second overall in the Men’s series and P.J Guinan was 5th.Well done to all.
WEST WATERFORD FINISHERS IN DEADMANS 5
2nd Raivis Zakis 25.43
8th P.J.Guinan 27.50
19th Corinna Walsh 30.07
23rd Jim Fleming 30.17
25th Patrick Riordan 30.26
44th Paul Brunnock 32.04
45th Diane Behan 32.12
48th Ken O’Donnell 32.40
54th Eilish Ní hAodha 32.55
56th Liam Kavanagh 33.09
58th Ger Wyley 33.17
60th Tom Moroney 33.19
70th Dermot Ryan 34.12
89th Michael Moloney 35.48
90th Billy Coleman 35.49
103rd Brigid Coffey 36.44
104th Michael Wade 36.51
105th Michael Hennessey 36.52
106th Patrick Power 37.10
130th Ray Murray 40.38
137th Hugh O’Connor 41.37
138th Geraldine Heffernan 41.56
139th Andrea Gaffney 42.14
140th Onra Power 42.15
152nd Terri Gough 47.21
BRIGID ON THE DOUBLE IN RIVERSTICK.
Brigid Coffey was the clubs sole representative at the Riverstick open sports in Cork recently. Brigid recorded a double on the day winning the 100 and 400 meters.
NEW EVENT.
Word is sifting through of a brand new race on the horizon .All we can reveal presently is that the date is Sunday August 31st and most likely the distance will be four miles, which will be a first for that distance in the locality. For now pencil it in the diary, we will keep you posted on further developments.
SINCERE SYMPATHY.
West Waterford Athletic Club extends sincere sympathy to the families of Mrs Ellen Meehan, Knockmeal, Ballinamult and Mrs Mary O Loughnane,Tooracurra,Ballymacarbry who passed to their eternal reward ‘s last week. As a mark of respect our monthly meeting was postponed last Thursday evening, May they rest in peace.
RUNNING QUOTE.
Hills are the only beneficial type of resistance training for a runner.
WEST WATERFORD ATHLETES EXCEL AT WOODIES NATIONAL MASTERS TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS.
The Woodies National Masters Track and Field championships were held last Saturday in Tullamore.A small but effective group of athletes from the club travelled. Joe Gough over 55 got proceeding under way for the club in blinding style as only he knows how with a terrific double in the 400 and 800 meters to add to his recent European gold 800 meter’s medal. Sandra Brazil White in the over 35’s took silver in both the 100 and 200 meters, Recently back from injury Brendan Moran was a gold medallist in the Men’s over 50 200 and he also took silver in the 100,Bridget Coffey was outside the medals in 6th place in the 800 meters but did record a personal best 3.01 for the 2 laps of the tartan which will please her. Michael Tutty was 5th among strong opposition in the Javelin over 45,Frank O’Brien returned to the scene of many of his countless recorded performing throws spanning many years to record a gold medal win in the Discus over 45.Finally but by no means least Terri Gough took gold in Javelin and Hammer then went on to record silver medal performances in the 100 and 200 meters plus to round off a memorable day she took bronze in the long jump. Congratulations and well done to all our masters.
