THE SCENE IS SET FOR THE 14th ANNUAL-NEW LOOK -GER WYLEY SPORTS/NIKE SUMMER ROAD RACING SERIES.
The time for the 14th Annual Ger Wyley Sports/ Nike summer series has come around once again and the first race gets under way on Friday week April 18th with the 16th Annual Marine Climb 6 mile road race. On behalf of the club and all the Runners who take part in this, Irelands origional, first and only 10-race summer series program we once again sincerely thank Ger Wyley for his involvement with the event and for his ongoing support to the club, Added to this we also thank through their Running specialist manager Paul McAfee, Nike Ireland for their generous and kind involvement in association with Wyley Sports who together insure that this great West Waterford AC summer event has and is still growing despite the fact that it has been in existence for so many years. Without the goodwill and commitment from firstly our sponsors and secondly those on the ground from the club who organise each race this series wouldn’t have survived the test of time. Like all good sports events we need to keep the event fresh and we need to look at new ideas to help keep the event as vibrant as we can. With this in mind the club have decided for the 14th Annual Ger Wyley Sports/Nike Summer Road Racing Series we would take a new and fresh approach this summer, which will give you the runners plenty to think about as well as enjoying your running in this very popular ten race series. Least we also forget of course the very kind sponsorship received from the individuals and companies who sponsor each of the 10 races in the summer program and the various personal involved around the county who give of their time to organise their particular race in their area.
PREVIOUS WINNERS- HALL OF FAME.
The following are a list of the previous overall winners of the summer series,
Male- James O’ Sullivan (1995-1997) Philip Harty (1996) William Harty (1998-1999-2000-2001-2003) Peter Duggan (2002-2004). Raivis Zakis (2005).Sandis Bralitis (2006).Sandis Bralitis (2007).
Female-Rebecca Harty (1995) Una Murray (1996) Geraldine Guiry (1997) Jackie (Stamp) Carty,(1998) Catherine Hennessey (1999-2000-2001) Corinne Walsh (2002) Jackie Carty (2003-2004-2005-2006) Sinead Crotty (2007)
TAKE UP THE CHALLENGE.
CAN YOU DO 10 FROM 10 ??
§ This year’s series is based on a ranking system in difference to the divisional system of the past number of years.
§ Any runner that completes six out of the ten races will once again qualify for the Nike voucher redeemable at Ger Wyleys to the value of €25.
§ A new feature of the 2008 system is that anybody who runs all of the ten races will receive a Nike voucher to the value of €75.
RANKING SYSTEM FOR THIS YEARS SERIES.
The main individual prizes will be the top twenty ranked men of any age and the top five ranked women of any age. After that then instead of divisions, there will be prizes for the 30th ranked, 40th, 50th etc in the male category and the 15th, 20th, 25th, 30th etc in the ladies category. So its skates on for next Friday week for what we hope will be the start of a record-breaking summer series once again. The big challenge thrown down of course this year through the kindness of our sponsors is for all runners to make it their target to try and finish all ten races, In doing so you can collect your 75 Euro voucher, Now that is a real challenge isn’t it, and it can be done, and you can do it. A 25 Euro Nike voucher will be awarded as per previous years to anyone who runs six of the ten races kindly sponsored by Ger Wyley Sports and Nike.
2007 RANKINGS
Included here are the 2007 Summer Series rankings, which will give everyone a placing to challenge for, in the year 2008.
TOP TWENTY MEN
Name Name
1. Sandis Bralitis 6 11. Billy McGuire 125
2. Raivis Zakis 12 12. Ml. Dunford 134
3. Peter Duggan 23 13. Jack Duggan 137
4. Sean Stilwell 23 14. P.J. Dwyer 137
5. Trevor Mason 63 15. Cathal Lowe 138
6. Joe Kelly 72 16. Eamon Phelan 170
7. Martin Hayes 93 17. Conor Murray 184
8. Liam Budds 93 18. Tim Twomey 212
9. Patrick O’ Riordan 119 19. Colin Lyons 213
10. Gary McCormack 124 20. Tom O’ Brien 218
TOP THIRTY
21. Pat Coffey 223
22. Alan Lyons 225
23. Sean Flynn 270
24. Andy Dollard 278
25. Martin Mullarkey 298
26. John Flynn 306
27. Paul Mooney 308
28. Justin Coonan 311
29. Anthony Dwyer 318
30. Earl Navin 318
TOP FORTY
31. Garret Byrne 319
32. Ken O’ Donnell 323
33. Peter Murphy 335
34. Pat Dunford 342
35. Derek Grant 343
36. Sean McCarthy 347
37. Vincent Tutty 370
38. Alan Whelan 374
39. Maurice Boland 385
40. Tomás Coleman 391
TOP FIFTY
41. Liam Kavanagh 403
42. Con Kelleher 407
43. Jim Duhig 450
44. Declan Harte 468
45. Paddy Power 532
46. Gerry O’ Connor 532
47. Paddy Street 539
48. P.J. Curran 546
49. Pat Morrissey 551
50. Sean Dwyer 565
TOP SIXTY
51. Eamon Flanagan 573
52. David Flynn 588
53. Ml. Burke 610
54. Alan Treacy 618
55. Tony Shalloe 643
56. Ml. Deegan 656
57. Ray Moore 678
58. Ml. Wade 696
59. Tom Hally 714
60. Michéal Callaghan 719
TOP SEVENTY
61. Aaron Cartlidge 784
62. Brian Murray 792
63. Tom Scanlon 804
64. David Campbell 805
65. Ray Murray 820
66. Michael O’ Shea 827
67. Paschal Proctor 847
68. James Foley 850
69. V. O’ Donovan 879
70. Liam Sandford 880
TOP EIGHTY
71. Albert McGrath 903
72. Ml. Brannigan 976
73. Liam Crowe 1088
LADIES RANKINGS
TOP TEN LADIES
Name
1. Sinead Crotty 6
2. Jackie Carthy 17
3. Mary Burke 19
4. Brenda Lowe 26
5. Maria Delaney 36
6. Ann Fitzgerald 52
7. Ann Dunford 54
8. Anne Whelan 64
9. Triona Wall 64
10. Louise Carey 76
TOP FIFTEEN
11. Suzanne Rath 84
12. Josie Uí Chuirrín 90
13. Brigid Coffey 108
14. Róisín Garvey 111
15. Shelly Brennan 112
TOP TWENTY
16. Stacey Lyons 123
17. Angeline Drenan 141
18. Ger Houlihan 146
19. Deirdre Chapman 150
20. Hillary Collins 150
TOP TWENTY-FIVE
21. Judy Hanrahan 154
22. Margaret Power 165
23. Martina Ryan 173
24. Inese Melne 194
25. Caitriona O’ Brien 198
TOP THIRTY
26. Michelle Durand 199
27. Tracey Dwyer 210
28. Gemma Dewberry 213
29. Onra Power 221
30. Bríd De Faoite 229
TOP THIRTY-FIVE
31. Andrea Gaffney 238
32. Clare Walsh 244
33. Ann Moroney 261
34. Fiona O’ Riordan 270
35. Terri Gough 273
WEST WATERFORD ATHLETIC CLUB
GERWYLEY SPORTS/NIKE
SUMMER ROAD
RACING SERIES 2008
RACE EVENT SPONSOR
RACE 1 16th annual Marine climb Christy and Helen
6 mile Friday April 18th 7 pm. O’Neill Marine Bar
RACE 2 24th annual Butlerstown 10k and 5k Pat Hennessey Saturday April 26th 7.30 pm. Kilmeaden Garage Kilmeaden
RACE 3 39th annual Waterford –Tramore. Bausch and Lomb.
7.5 miles Saturday May 17th 7.30 PM.
RACE 4 13th annual Touraneena 5k Hallahan Coaches.
Monday June 2nd 7.30 pm.
RACE 5 16th annual Rás Na Rinne Tom and Ann Gough
6 miles Friday June 13th 8 pm. Mooneys pub Ring
RACE 6 7th annual Clashmore 5 mile T.B.A.
Friday June 20th 8 pm.
RACE 7 16th annual Dromana 5 mile Nagle Family
Friday June 27th 8 pm. Dungarvan Leader
RACE 8 9th annual Glaxosmithkline 5 mile. Glaxosmithkline
Friday July 11th 8 pm. Dungarvan
RACE 9 13th annual Ballymacarbry 5 mile Dooceys Bar
Friday August 1st 7.30 pm.
Race 10 13th annual Ardmore 5 miles An Tobar Bar
Friday August 15th 7.30 pm. Ardmore
2008 CLUB ROAD RACING CHAMPIONS.
This category is open to all paid up members of West Waterford AC by the start of the series. Your best placing in seven of the ten races count. The Male and Female with the lowest points in each age category will be crowned club champions for 2008.
Basically, what this means is that, for each of the races a record will be kept of your finishing position. All athletes will be put in to categories according to age and you will remain in this category for the remainder of the series. There will be male and female categories as listed below.
Last years winners are were.
MEN; WOMEN;
Senior Sandis Bralitis SENIOR Sinead Crotty
O/35 Joe Kelly O/35 Brigid Coffey
O/40 Martin Hayes 0/40 Onra Power
O/45 Billy Maguire O/45 Josie Uí Chuirrin
O/50 Colin Lyons O/50 n/a
O/55 Liam Sandford O/60 Terri Gough
2007 SUMMER SERIES STATISTICS.
A total of 13 athletes completed the entire summer series race programme. This figure was up three from the previous year. These were Josie Uí Chuirrín, Judy Hanrahan, Caitriona O’ Brien, Sandis Bralitis, Liam Budds, Liam Kavanagh, Jim Duhig, P.J. Curran, Pat Morrissey, Michael Deegan, Ray Murray, Maurice Boland and Sean Flynn.
Judy Hanrahan and Michael Deegan were the only two of the group that also completed all ten races in the 2006 programme. 162 entered the series, which was an increase of 37 from the previous year. A total of 100 runners completed the required 6 races to receive a sports voucher to the value of €25 from the sponsors, this number was one up from the previous year. 68 West Waterford runners completed the series, which was one down from the 2006 entry.
FURTHER STATISTICS
MEN
§ 115 entered
§ 74 finished (completed 6 or more races)-44 O/40 and 30 U/40
§ 47 West Waterford A.C. male athletes completed the series
§ 2 male entrants from Carrick-On-Suir
§ 4 from Clonmel A.C.
§ 1 East Cork entry
§ 1 from Ferrybank A.C.
§ 2 from St. Josephs A.C.
§ 2 from St. Senans A.C.
§ 7 entries from Waterford A.C.
§ 1 from Waterford Road Runners
§ I Youghal A.C.
§ 6 were unattached
WOMEN
§ 47 entered
§ 36 finished (completed 6 or more races)
§ 21 West Waterford A.C. female athletes completed the series
§ 1 Kilmore A.C.
§ 7 Waterford A.C.
§ I Waterford Road Runners
§ 6 were unattached
PEAK PERFORMANCES FOR PENULTIMATE NIGHT AT MASON’S MORTGAGES AND FINANCIAL SERVICES RUNNING LEAGUE
The penultimate night of the popular Mason’s Mortgages and Financial Services produced some top-drawer performances from participants in all the various routes on offer. As the league is just four weeks in duration, a determined effort is made by one and all to make a significant improvement each week. The fine spring evening attracted another large crowd to the Colligan venue and some new faces joined us yet again last week. There were an overall total of 98 runners on the night with an even bigger crowd expected tonight for the last night. While some people are well clear in their divisions, in other divisions it’s too close to call at this stage as in some cases it’s just a mere point or two that separates some of the athletes. Tonight’s run should be an exciting one to say the least and all the best to each of the participants.
We would love to see some more new faces again tonight. You do not need to have run any of the previous nights of the league. Now that there is a long stretch in the evenings, what better way to be out and about than at the Colligan wood for an enjoyable run. Registration begins at 5.45 p.m. in the wood and the entry fee is €2. Water is provided at the finish for all athletes. See you out there.
MARTIN MOVES ON.
For the two lap league there were five that took part, all led home by Mark O’ Donnell. This was Mark’s first night participating in the league and a fine run he had for his first night. Martin Quinlan made huge strides in his running for round three of the league when he ran almost a minute quicker than the previous week. This is a great accomplishment as the weather was very warm in comparison to the other nights of the league. Martin showed great spirit and determination in running the two laps and over the last 400 metres or so he really got going and gave it his all and was delighted to finish with a time of 24.06, well down on his previous time of 25.01. No doubt he’ll be looking to break 24 minutes tonight. Jason Travers continues to lead this division but will have to pull out all the stops tonight to thwart the attempts of Yevgeniy Chizhikov who is also having a great league. With only a single point separating these two, the final outcome lies ultimately in tonight’s run.
SHIRLEY SURELY HAS THE RUNNING BUG.
Now a regular at all our running leagues lately, Shirley Flynn is improving with each outing. Having run each week faster, her improvement seems to know no bounds and we have no doubt that she will be a regular fixture at the summer series. The running really does get easier if you stick with it and be patient. There are many ladies in the two lap league that are training consistently and this is very evident in their times and performances. It is a just reward for all their hard work and commitment. Mary O’ Riordan is another to reap the rewards of regular training and like Shirley is close to breaking 27 minutes for the two laps. Carolyn Byrne made a welcome return to running after securing an emphatic victory at the Winter League. She seems to have carried on from where she left off and pulled off a great performance with a finishing time of 24.29, just seconds behind the ever improving Andrea O’ Neill and Diana Chizhikova. Running partners Mary Whyte and Aine Feeney encouraged each other all the way to the finish and clocked 28.33 each, another fine improvement for these two. Triona Shalloe continues to lead this division and having secured the minimum points for the last three weeks, it looks to be a safe bet for Triona to take the overall title for the ladies two-lap league.
DECLAN DELIVERS FINE PERFORMANCE.
Currently in training for the Cork marathon, Declan McGrath’s training is going very well at the moment and he gave a great display of running for round three of the league and so far he has received minimum points for the league. There were 7 that took part in the men’s 5-mile flat route and all will be well pleased with their runs. Tomas Coleman was the next man home after Declan, followed by Paul Brunnock. Ray Burke was the next to cross the line in a time of 35.10. Ray will begin his training for the summer series soon and will be looking to break 35 tonight. Richie Kelly had a fine steady run and next up we had Kenley Street. This was his first night running in the league and he ran very well indeed and completed the course in a time of 40.17. Sean Moore is another who is improving steadily each week and enjoying the course, which is the most important aspect of the league.
JOSIE AND INESE BREAK 40 MINUTES.
Both Josie Uí Chuirrín and Inese Melne managed to break 40 minutes for the 5-mile route last week, which was great running indeed. In fact, this is Josie’s second consecutive week doing so and she’s now clocking a sub 40 run at ease. Should the two of them run together tonight, they should be well capable of pushing each other along and running sub 39.30. Another two running together are Marie O’ Gorman and Michelle Durand. Both of these ladies are edging closer and closer to a 42-minute run and an extra bit of determination tonight should duly see them doing just that.
GARY MOVES IT UP A GEAR
For the 5-mile hills there were many personal bests recorded on the night. This league probably sees the quickest improvement of any league. We all quickly learn that going off too fast at the start can only mean disaster when tackling the hills so it’s of the utmost importance that you save some energy for those hills. Round three of the league saw Garry Collins deliver a tactical and brilliant run and was well under 36 minutes for the route. Gary went fairly steady up the first hill and once that was conquered he put down the boot and gave it all and he never let up until he crossed that finishing line. Great running Gary. Anthony Dwyer was another to have a great run on the night. Anthony meant business from the start and all his marathon training stood to him over the last mile or so and he came home two minutes quicker than the previous week. Pat Dunford and Gerry Cantwell are also drawing on their marathon training in Colligan to get them up those hills and they really make it look so easy! These two have been running a minute quicker each week and they were closely followed by Martin Hayes. Rob Lynch is continuing to show huge improvement, as is Tom Condon who succeeded in running sub 40 on the night. Raivis Zakis is the over all leader of the league and looks set to claim the crown again this year. Sean Stilwell is in second place. In division 2, Gerry Cantwell and Colin Lyons will have to battle it out for the top spot with only two points separating them. Kenneth O’ Donnell is leading division 3 ahead of Darren Healy and Eamon Flavin is at the top of division 4. In division 5, Pat O’ Connell and Tony Hamilton will have to deliver their best performance to date to secure victory with Pat holding a two point lead over Tony.
KAREN RYAN CLAIMS “STAR OF THE RACE” AWARD
For round three of the league, Karen Ryan was certainly in a league of her own as she powered up those hills. Having knocked a minute off the previous week, Karen had her sights set on breaking 40 minutes for the hill run. This is a pace of eight minutes per mile and for anybody that has tackled the hills in Colligan, they will recognise this as great running. Her time for week 2 was 41.13 and for week 3 it was 40.13. This is quite significant indeed and should we see her overtaking hubby Dermot on the hills at the upcoming Marine Climb, we’ll know why!! Ann Whelan just clipped under 40 minutes for the run so if Karen keeps an eye on Ann up those hills she should definitely reach her target. Brigid Blackwell also had a fine run, as did Nicola Dee and Caroline Russell. With tonight being the final night, everyone will be out to deliver one final top-drawer performance to bring a successful end to the league. Division 4 is literally down to the wire with Niamh Budds on 63 points, Paula Nugent on 65 and Amanda Mansfield on 66 points. The very best of luck to everybody tonight.
SPONSOR
Our Sponsor for the league again this year is Mark Mason of Mason’s Mortgages and Financial Services in Cappoquin. Mark has always been a very generous and helpful sponsor and has been present each night to ensure the smooth running of the league. It is through Mark’s generosity and support that we have been able to hold this league and all at West Waterford Athletic Club are very grateful to Mark.
PRIZE-GIVING NIGHT
With the conclusion of the league tonight, we will have our prize-giving night this Friday night, April 11 in Alice O’ Connors Bar in Abbeyside. The leader of each division will be presented with their prize on the night. The prize giving will begin at 10 p.m. It is a night out for all participants and club members and not just the prizewinners, all athletes that took part are winners in their own right. A great night is guaranteed for all. See you there.
RAFFLE
Before the race gets underway tonight, there will be a raffle held among all those that took part in each of the four nights of the league. The lucky individual will receive a pair of Nike runners, so if you have ran three nights so far, make sure you make it to Colligan this evening, you could be going home with an extra pair of runners.
KILNABOY 10 ON THIS SUNDAY.
The final race in the 2008 John Buckley sports sponsored Munster 10 mile road classic series draws to a conclusion this coming Sunday with the Annual Michael (Sonny) Murphy Memorial Kilnaboy 10 miler in Co. Clare. The starting time for this race is 2PM and there is a walk over a 10k circuit which gets under way at 1.30 PM.Entry fee is 10 Euro and there is no pre registration, so everyone enters on the day. A total of 177 runners have completed the first 3 races. Last year, 94 runners completed all 4 races so it is defiantly going to be a record number of finishers this year, as most of the 177 should make the trip to Kilnaboy.Raivis Zakis has a slender lead of eight seconds in the overall Men’s competition and will have to be at his best to hold off Riocht’s Donal O’Connell if he is to reclaim his crown. Martin McCarthy is currently leading the over 45 section and looks pretty much home and dry here, Team mate Gerry Cantwell is currently second, In the Ladies over 40 Ann Dunford is in second place, All athletes who completed all four races will be awarded with a T-Shirt for their efforts. The club will be well represented in Clare next Sunday so it’s best of luck to all travelling.For those interested,we will meet at the Park Hotel at 10 AM Sharp.
WEST WATERFORD ATHLETES ON MARATHON DUTY.
Best wishes this weekend to club members who are on their way to England for the famed London Marathon, John Kearns, Pat Dunford, Terri Gough and Ann Moroney.All four have the necessary preparation done so our hope now is that the weather man will be kind to them on the day. Best of luck from all at the club.
MUNSTER MASTERS-JUNIOR AND UNDER 23 TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS.
The Track and Field season is now quickly upon us and on the bank holiday Monday May 5th next the Munster Masters, junior and under 23’s are in action with Cork I.T.recently named as this years venue. We are the current Munster Masters track and field champions, indeed we have won the title, best all-round club in this championships the last two years in a row and team mentor Ann Dunford will be leaving no stone unturned with her team preparations as we strive to make it three in a row. Ann will shortly be submitting our team entries so we ask any interested athletes to forward your name to Ann and the disciplines you intent to participate in on the day.
NATIONAL 10K ROAD CHAMPIONSHIPS.
The club are participating in the national 10k road championships on Sunday April 20th next. The venue this year is Athenry, Co.Galway, any members intending to race here are asked to submit their name to Gerry Cantwell.
THE 2008 EMERALD FINANCIAL- WEST WATERFORD ATHLETIC CLUB ANNUAL NOW ON SALE.
The club Annual for 2008 is on the shelves for sale presently and this years Annual has been widely acclaimed by those who have purchased it as the best to date. Priced at a nominal 5 Euro it is great value for anyone with an interest in the clubs activities, the Annual is on sale at Ger Wyley Sports and Albert Mc Grath Newsagents and at the Colligan league tonight, get your copy to-day.
CONGRATULTIONS.
Firstly this week we congratulate club member Ray Moore and Brojana on the occasion of their marriage last weekend in Poland, and to birthday boys Rory Wyley 30 something plus one and committee member Conor Norris who is now officially of the Age to stay out after 12 midnight.
ST.AUGUSTINES COLLEGE TRIUMPH ON HOME TURF IN SUPERSCHOOLS.
Congratulations to all concerned with the success last weekend for St.Augustines College in the Annual Superschools competition which was held on home turf here in Abbeyside this year, Many of our Juvenile club members were part and parcel of the team and of course their dynamic coach and mentor Br. Patrick is very much part of the back room staff in our Juvenile club also.The final points tally for St.Augustines was 43 with Scotland second on 40 and Sweden third with 35 points. Well done to all.
PAUL BRUNNOCK DOES THE BUSINESS IN CONNEMARA ULTRA.
Paul Brunnock was the clubs sole ultra marathon representative at last Sundays Connemara event.Covering a distance of 39.3 miles, certainly not to be sneezed at, Paul was well prepared for the task ahead and with the support of brother Johnny and other family members Paul completed the race under his target time of 6 hours when crossing the finish line at Maam Cross in a time of 5 hours and 54 minutes. Congratulations and well done Paul.
WIN FOR CORINNA WALSH IN WATERFORD 4.
The inaugural Waterford AC 4 miler was held last Sunday around a fast City circuit, Starting at Rices Bridge and finishing at the R.S.C.The Senior Men’s event was won by Tinryland’s Pat Byrne in a time of 19.15 with West Waterford ‘s Raivis Zakis a close second in a new personal best time of 19.20,third was another West Waterford athlete Rory Moloney 19.59.this was a super run from Rory and it was his first time to dip under 20 minutes for the distance, World 800 meters silver medallist Joe Gough won the over 55 section with a time of 22.48,Corinna Walsh ran a very well paced race to claim the Ladies overall winners prize with a very fast time of 23.28 from Waterford’s Maria Griffin 23.50, Norma Wall took the prize for 4th Lady overall with a time of 24.40.Also in the Ladies section Ann Dunford won the over 40 section in 26.19.There was success for the club too in the Men’s team event, taking first place with the team total of 43 points. The team consisted of Sean Stilwell 6th, P.J.Guinan 17th and Benji Whelan 20th,Well done to all the above and to all club participants.
2nd Raivis Zakis 19.20
3rd Rory Moloney 19.59
6th Sean Stilwell 20.43
17th P.J.Guinan 22.24
20th Joe Gough 22.48
21st Benji Whelan 22.55
24th Tom O’Brien 23.6
25th Corinna Walsh 23.28
38th Norma Wall 24.40
53rd Garry McCormack 25.26
55th Liam Kavanagh 25.35
58th Yevgeniy Chizhikov 25.44
59th Liam Cuddihy 25.51
62nd John Heffernan 25.56
65th David Connors 26.17
66th Ann Dunford 26.19
70th Billy Coleman 26.45
82nd Brigid Coffey 27.37
95th Sean Dwyer 28.12
106th Niamh Moloney 29.16
121st Ray Murray 30.17
144th Joan navin 32.41
