RACE 9 GER WYLEY/NIKE SUMMER SERIES
DOOCEY’S ORIEL BAR BALLYMACARBRY 5.
Race number nine in this years Ger Wyley Sports/Nike summer series, the Doocey’s Oriel Bar Ballymacarbry 5 took place last Friday evening, We had a very heavy downpour before the race start which left much of the course especially the wood area very wet underfoot, despite this the weather was brighter for the event itself and the rain didn’t deter the record field of 173 athletes which completed the race, It was yet again great to see such a big number of runners as this has been the norm this year in all races in the series where we have witnessed unprecedented numbers participating. Of course all good races need much planning and work before race day dawns at all and in Ballymacarbry we are fortunate to have the good will of the community in that area who come out in force to lend their support to the race. Much of the thanks must go especially to Paddy Walsh for all his invaluable help with the organizing of the race, indeed it would fair to say that without Paddy and his band of helper’s the race would be very difficult hold at all as he they looked after much of the pre race organization that goes into such an event. Our thanks also to the committee of the Community hall for the use of their fine new facility for changing and registration, with special thanks to Danny O’Rourke for his help here. As mentioned above our thanks to the crew who look after marking out the course and clearing the wooded section of race route. Special mention must go the Ladies who looked after making the tea’s for the runners, and to all those who provided the Sandwiches, Congratulations to all once again for organizing a super event and the record turn out of runners on the night was as much as they deserved for all their efforts. It goes without saying our thanks once again to our own club crew for another successfully event also. Finally our gratitude and thanks to our great sponsor of the race Doocey’s Oriel Bar, Ballymacarbry and especially Tony Doocey who was on hand to present the prizes to the various winners.
EASY VICTORY FOR RAIVIS.
The men’s senior race was again a somewhat easy victory for Raivis Zakis West Waterford AC who recorded a time of 26.17 to take his fourth series win of the current campaign, Raivis is currently in second place in the overall table of the Ger Wyley/Nike Summer series with one race remaining the Ardmore 5 Friday week next. Second was Shane Mullaney who started the race at electric pace going through the first mile in 4.45 he evenly was overhauled by Raivis to finish second in 27.03 former winner of this race Peter Duggan was third in 27.44,Tony Fogarty was fourth in 27.57 and Frank Hayes filled fifth place with a time of 28.12.
CORINNA UNSTOPPABLE
The ladies race saw another win for West Waterford’s Corinna Walsh in the series. Corinna’s winning time was 30.52 and she is now odds on to take her first Ger Wyley Sports/Nike summer series overall victory, and a deserving victory it would be for Corinna who certainly is the inform female athlete at the moment around these parts, She is having her best ever season of road running and certainly the times she is recording are of the highest standard, Corinna’s win ensured a West Waterford Men’s and Ladies double on the night. Second was another local Lady Muriel Cummins Kilgobnet who is running at a very high standard also Muriel has been away from the area for some years now but has recently returned and we hope to see a lot more of her in the month’s ahead,She was a winner of the Waterford to Tramore race some month’s ago in the series. Muriel’s time in Ballymac was of 31.10.She had just 7 seconds to spear over Adele Walsh St.Senan’s 31.17,Diane Behan finished fourth and recorded a time of 32.38 to take the over 35 section and Norma Wall was next with a time of 33.39.
Next and final race in series is An Tobar Ardmore 5 this Friday 15th August next at 7.30 PM.
DOOCEYS ORIEL BAR BALLYMACARBRY 5 RESULTS.
SENIOR MEN
1. Raivis Zakis West Waterford AC 26.17
2. Shane Mullaney Thurles A.C. 27.03
3. Pater Duggan St. Joseph’s A.C. 27.44
4. Tony Fogarty Thurles A.C. 27.57
5. Frank Hayes East Cork 28.12
O/40
1. Vasily Neumerzhitsyiy Clonmel A.C. 28.49
2. Jim Fleming West Waterford AC 30.57
O/45
1. Larry Kennedy Waterford A.C. 28.23
2. Martin McCarthy West Waterford AC 30.07
O/50
1. Larry Lacey St. Joseph’s 29.18
2. P.J. Dwyer St. Senan’s 30.46
O/55
1. Tim Twomey East Cork 32.20
2. Paddy Power West Waterford AC 37.08
O/60
1. Michael Hennessy West Waterford AC 37.58
2. Don Thornhill N/A 38.00
Junior
Vincent Molumby Thurles A.C. 28.19
1st Local
Alan Whyte Ballymacarbry 38.59
SENIOR WOMEN
1. Corinna Walsh West Waterford AC 30.52
2. Muriel Cummins N/A 31.10
3. Adele Walsh St. Senan’s A.C. 31.17
4. Norma Wall West Waterford AC 33.39
5. Joan Mahony Waterford A.C. 35.01
O/35
1. Diane Behan West Waterford AC 32.38
2. Cait Caulfield St. Senans 33.29
O/40
1. Eilis Ni Aodha West Waterford AC 34.05
2. Anne Whelan West Waterford AC 35.59
O/50
1. Anne Fitzgerald Waterford A.C. 35.36
2. Beth Fitzpatrick Tallaght 42.45
Junior
Tara Roche West Waterford AC 48.54
GER WYLEY / NIKE SUMMER SERIES RACE NO.10.
12TH ANNUAL “AN TOBAR” ARDMORE 5 FRIDAY AUGUST 15TH.
How the summer has flown, Its hard to believe that we are about to run the final race in this years Ger Wyley/Nike summer 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 Friday August 15th 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 8 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.
JOE GOUGH CHAMPION OF EUROPE.
West Waterford’s Joe Gough set another lifetime achievement last weekend at the European Maters Track and Field championships in Slovenia. Joe competing in the over 55 800 meters faced the best European athletes of that age with nine entered to participate in the 800 meters event. On Friday the semi finals saw two heats with two to qualify automatically and the eight fastest losers, Joe running in heat two targeted second place as his finishing position ensuring qualification, he duly finished second in a time of 2.17.The final was scheduled for Saturday and Joe knew he was in with a great chance of success. The race was taken out by British athlete Kevin Archer who later was to fade into fourth place. It was all up for grabs with 120 to go when Joe made his decisive move coming off the final bend his quick turn of pace left the field reeling and only the Dutch athlete the second fastest seeded athlete in the race Martin Hoorn who the previous week had took gold in the 5.000 meters was able to match the Irish mans effort,However the Irish man clinched victory over the final 30 meters proving too strong even for the fancied Dutch athlete, A great win for Joe in a time of 2.10.67 Hoorn was clocked at 2.11.52 and the fast finishing German Franz Schmidt was third in 2.12.09.So another very successful championships for Joe who must be now ranked as the counties best Master 55 800 meters runner of all time with a string of successful national, European and indeed world accolades to his ever growing list of lifetime achievements. Well done Joe no more than such a dedicated athlete deserves. An example to the whole club.
JAMIE ALL SET FOR HIS BIG DAY AT THE OFFICE.
West Waterford’s Jamie Costin is about to live the dream next week when the Beijing Olympics gets under way from August 8th to 24th an international race walker from the Ring Gaeltacht in county Waterford and of course a member of West Waterford Athletic Club, Jamie achieved the “A” standard for the 2008 Olympic Games last year so was able to fully concentrate fully on his preparations for Beijing. Jamie also qualified for the same event in two previous Olympics Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004. Behind his huge achievement of qualifying for three Olympics is a story of a remarkable comeback from injury. It began from just before the 2004 Olympic games in Athens. Jamie had prepared both diligently and professionally as only he knows how for all three and coming off the experience from his first Olympic outing in Sydney to be ready for the challenge of the Athens Games he was in peak condition, and looking forward to a strong performance, However following training one morning, nine days before his competition in the Games he was involved in a serious car accident on the outskirts of Athens, which denied him his place on the start line in
Greece. The cost to Jamie was more than just reaching the Olympic starting line however,As he had broken his back in two places, Devastation for Jamie but lucky to be alive, Having spent considerable time in hospital it was going to be a slow road to recovery but his determination to return to competition was never in any doubt and he was going to race walk again was his ever lasting words on my departure from his hospital room in Dublin a couple of days after his return from Athens. Once back on his feet he traveled to receive treatment at the Polish training center in Spala where he had Trained for the Athens Games with quadruple Olympic champion Robert Korzeniowski. It was not until 2006 that Jamie began competing again, making
Slow progress building to the full walking distance of 50km. In 2007
The progress continued and testament to his strength of character he achieved the standard for the World Championships in Osaka and 2008 Beijing Olympics.
But in many respects that’s all history now and for him to be towing the line come August 24th is the opening of a new chapter in the sporting achievement’s of Jamie Costin.While training for the longest endurance event on the Athletics programme in Beijing Jamie has been averaging up to 115 miles per week in training,
But now his time has come all the preparations are almost complete and he will join the Irish team this weekend in Beijing from his training camp in Poland where we know he is sure to give the very best account of himself. All at his club wish him well and we are proud to have an Olympian in our midst.
Jamie along with country man Colin Griffin compete in the 50k walk on day 14 of the championships Friday August 22nd the race starts at 7.30 AM.
TQS RUNNING LEAGUE –ROUND FIVE
HUGH IS RIGHT ON CUE
The winner for the fifth round of the TQS running league was none other than Hugh O’ Connor. On a night where the majority of runners were on the right side of the clock, it makes Hugh’s win all the more special. Hugh really and truly judged his timing impeccably and crossed the line just as the clock reached 0.00. Hugh got his figures just right and was a very deserving winner. Martina Walsh crossed the line with 12 seconds remaining on the clock and along came Hugh followed by a large contingent of runners, all trying to get it spot on but luck was on Hugh’s side and victory was his. Andrea Gaffney was also extremely close as was Corinna Walsh but it was Hugh’s night and this win will really push him up on the division tables. Corinna’s well timed run will also see her advance up the league tables as well as this was her second time in the league recording the third spot. Next week might be her turn to claim victory. Yevgeniy Chizhikov is another that has been there or thereabouts and will be looking to improve on his pacing in order to move up the division tables. We almost had a two-in-a row from Angeline Drennan. Angeline was the winner for round four thanks to her precise timing skills and this almost won for her another win as for the sixth round she was just three seconds slower than she predicted. Although she may not have gotten it right this time she will certainly be in close contention for the remaining stages of the league. With so many people getting their timing almost exactly right we are in for a very close few weeks ahead. We reported last week that the majority of the runners were becoming more accurate with each passing night and round five was no exception. Of the 47 runners that ran, only 16 were faster than the clock and 31 managed to be on the right side of the clock. It was difficult enough to gauge as the rain was a factor in determining your speed but nonetheless there were many that were close enough. At the moment, there are 91 people featured on the division tables and at this stage it’s practically impossible to call a winner. There is only 37 points separating the leader from the 20th placed runner and one week is all that is needed for this to change dramatically. Due to the fact that not everybody scores points every week, if the 20th person won and got the maximum 30 points for winning and the top person was way out and received no points then the margin would be reduced to 17 points which is nothing really. There was a slight error in last week’s notes in relation to the scoring system for the league, apologies for that. The first person that crosses the line after the clock reaches 0.00 receives 30 points, the next person receives 29 points and so on down to one point. The people that cross the line after the person that receives one point don’t actually receive any points for that week but may very well receive points the next week. The first person that crosses the line before the clock reaches 0.00 gets 20 points. Last week we said it was 30 points but it’s actually 20 points. The person to cross the line before that person would get 19 points and the person before that would receive 18 points and so on down the line until somebody receives one point. The people to finish before those people would not get any points for that particular night. By the time this gets to press, we will know the result of round six and there will only be two nights remaining and like I’ve said already the league tables could be totally different by then, we’ll just have to wait and see. As always, newcomers are welcome to come along on any night that suits them. The league is held in the Friary College on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. Registration begins at 6.45 and the entry fee is €2 per person and water is provided for all at the finish.
GREEN MILE LEAGUE –ROUND THREE
The participants of the Green Mile League certainly had to brave the elements last Thursday night, as the weather was not in their favour. Such was the extent of the rain that it was decided to hold the event on the road instead as the underfoot conditions in the Friary were unsuitable due to the heavy rain. Five of the dedicated six that turned up to run the mile are all on course for completing the maximum four out of four with each athlete’s best three nights comprising of their overall score. Our recently turned master in the club Johnny O’ Connor is master of the one milers as once again he led them home in a time of 5.26. Johnny has been gradually improving with each passing week and should be in great form for the looming cross-country season. Yevgeniy Chizhikov has also been showing steady improvement and wasn’t too far behind Johnny. Paul Brunnock had a great run and was very close to 6 minutes, this he should break with ease at the final week. The three female participants also pulled off great performances and their times were much faster than the initial week. Ann Dunford and Brigid Coffey were both well under seven minutes while Onra Power ran a blinder to record 7.48, well under eight minutes.
The following are the times recorded at the Green Mile:
1. Johnny O’ Connor 5.26
2. Yevgeniy Chizhikov 5.39
3. Paul Brunnock 6.03
4. Ann Dunford 6.40
5. Brigid Coffey 6.53
6. Onra Power 7.48
WEST WATERFORD CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TABLES AFTER RACE NUMBER EIGHT.
Last year the club introduced a club championship, which is held over the summer duration with the Ger Wyley Sports/Nike summer series 10-race programme counting. This proved to be popular among the clubs members then and this year likewise the competition has created much interest among our members. Like last year all athletes, both male and female were put in to their relevant categories, i.e. Senior, Junior, over 35, over 40, over 45, over 50, over 55 and over 60. After each race each club member is credited with the points got on the night of the race. If you were first you get one point and if you were 10th you get ten points. You could only score for the races that you participated in and in order to qualify for the championship each athlete must run a minimum of seven races out of ten. If you were to do more than seven races, then your best seven nights will count. The tables below are the points up to and including the race number eight the GSK 5.
At the end of the series, the person with the lowest score in each category will be crowned club champion. The following are the top two in each category at present. This score is the total for all the races you have done. Some may have eight or nine races done and others may have only done six, which is why the final results after Ardmore may differ from the present table totals.
WEST WATERFORD CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2008
SENIOR
C Walsh 36 25 — 33 27 32 33 32 218
T Wall 96 105 128 —- 92 119 109 139 788
I Melne —– 129 157 85 96 95 104 127 793
OVER 35
D Behan 48 —- 55 —- 47 44 73 60 327
B Coffey 117 117 164 94 88 98 122 154 790
OVER 40
A Whelan 105 99 104 76 75 83 83 102 622
A Dunford 101 95 146 102 — — 107 131 682
OVER 45
E Ni hAodha 62 59 67 54 58 59 65 73 424
J Ui Churrin 122 127 151 113 90 100 133 836
OVER 50
A Moroney 182 202 213 135 137 154 171 224 1194
OVER 55
T Gough 217 214 267 157 156 159 191 255 1349
SENIOR MEN
R Zakis 1 1 3 3 — 3 3 2 16
A Lyons 19 20 16 31 13 24 27 38 157
OVER 35
PJ Guinan 17 10 11 18 8 13 11 9 79
K O’Donnell 90 79 72 56 41 45 44 54 391
OVER 40
M Hayes 28 22 19 —– 16 18 41 20 164
T O’Brien 40 32 53 44 38 — —- 45 252
OVER 45
D Wade 41 39 45 —– 40 —- 47 47 259
E Phelan 46 —- — —– 42 50 52 65 255
OVER 50
G Cantwell 24 —- 63 51 —- 28 29 29 224
C Lyons 35 26 33 40 29 31 —- — 194
OVER 55
R Murray 184 173 225 129 126 135 151 205 1103
OVER 60
P Connaughton 133 121 149 100 104 106 —– — 713
M Hennessey 128 —- 165 119 —- 118 121 153 804
JUNIOR
D Power 31 — 51 16 12 130 28 —- 268
WOODIES MASTERS TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS ON THIS WEEKEND.
The following athletes are representing the club at this weekends Woodies National Masters Track and Field championships, which are being held in Tullamore on Saturday 9th August next. Brigid Coffey, Terri Gough, Ann Moroney, Sandra Brazil White, Joe Gough, Michael Tutty, Brendan Moran, Frank O’Brien. Best of luck to all.
RUNNING QUOTE
My role models are the athletes who keep competing even though they’re becoming older and slower – the masters and grandmasters who are still psyched up about their sport and their lives.
SENIOR CLUB MEETING.
The Senior club’s monthly committee meeting will take place tomorrow night Thursday at 9.00 PM in Minnie’s Bar,Abbeyside.
DEADMANS 5 ON THIS FRIDAY 8TH .
The final race in the Outfield Sports/Asics 3 Counties Challenge takes place in Carrick on Suir on this Friday 8th August 2008 @ 7:30 p.m.. The Carraig Hotel "Deadman’s 5" mile Road race takes place on an undulating circuit around Carrick on Suir. The prize fund for the race is increased from recent races, with a total prize fund of e1, 500. There are prizes for the top 5 men and women, with the first man and woman home receiving e200. There are also prizes in the usual age categories, and a wide range of prizes down the field. The course record was set in 2006 by Sandis Bralitis (West Waterford) at 25:05, and the first person to beat this will receive a bonus prize of e100.
Registration takes place in the Carrick Swan Hall (beside the Garda Station) from 6:00 p.m. and there are shower and changing facilities in the Carrick Swan Clubhouse after the race. Registration can also be done online at www.runireland.com.
The overall series winners will be presented in addition to the night’s prizewinners in the Carraig Hotel after the race, and this will be followed by a Series wind down. For further information contact Alan at 087 2394720.
