West Waterford Athletic ClubWest Waterford Athletic Club

St.Stephens day charity run a huge success.

RECORD TURN OUT AT DUNGARVAN G.A.A.CLUB CHARITY RUN/WALK IN AID OF SESAME PRE SCHOOL ON ST.STEPHENS DAY.

The largest turn out to date of 170 runners and walkers took part in the St., Stephen’s day Annual charity fun run and walk organised by Dungarvan G.A.A. club. The run this year was in aid of The Sesame Pre School in the town and the response to the event was terrific with a great amount of money collected, At the time of going to press this amount was well over 2.500 Euro but the final tally won’t be known till all monies are collected. Organized by Dungarvan G.A.A club along with our own club the event is growing in numbers year after year. This year again we had our usual mix of walkers and runners taking part all of which are to be congratulated on their participation and contributions to this most worthy local cause. This run is held each year in true Christmas spirit and is totally a fun run/walk were the important aspect is the fact that we are all supporting a worthy local charity. Thanks to all the stewards who gave of their time to ensure the safety of the runners and walkers and special thanks to Grace O’Callaghan who looked after the administration side of things on the day. Lena Walsh along with the O’Connor Family were on hand to accept the cheque from Paddy Fitzgerald on behalf of the Sesame Pre School and Lena thanked all those involved with the days activities and for the monies received for this most worthy cause. Paddy Fitzgerald spoke on behalf of the organizing committee thanking all involved also. Congratulations to the organizers, Dungarvan G.A.A. club and a very special thanks go to all the ladies who looked after the catering with plenty of soup, teas and sandwiches for all which were most welcome. Thanks also to Michael and Tony who were on P.A. There were spot prizes drawn among all those who participated we expect this St.Stephen’s day charity event to get bigger and bigger so pencil it in for next year.
   
SUCCESSFUL WREN DAY EVENT.

A wren day was organized by club member Liam Kavanagh.Liam brought together musicians from the locality to the Gows Pub on Main St. A huge crowd supported the Wren day which was much appreciated by the organizer’s and here too a large collection was made to top up the monies already collected at the run earlier in the day. Thanks to the management and staff of the Gows who were so supportive of the event. And special thanks to all the musicians who came along helping to make the event such a success, The Wren day is now an important part of the successful fund raising day. Well done to Liam once again for his work on making the Wren day successful.

ALL ROUNDER SPORTS WINTER LEAGUE.

LIAM LEADS THE WAY.

The final night of the winter league for 2007 saw a total of 93 take part in the 6-mile route and it was the budding young runner from Clashmore that led the field home. Liam had a super run and recorded 36.36 on the night. Darren Healy also had a fine run and is now at the top of the division table. This means that so far, Darren is the person that has knocked the most off his time. Hugh O’ Connor will be delighted to have run a sub 50 minute for the 6 miles before Christmas. Orla O’ Mahony was another to record a great time and was well under 50 minutes on the night. Noel McKenna was very close to breaking 44 minutes, recording 44.04. The Kerryman, Johnny O’ Connor ran well to finish with 36.26. Paschal Proctor, who recently ran a half marathon in Memphis was just over 45 minutes. Tom Moroney’s training is certainly paying dividends and he’ll be well chuffed with his time of 42.08. Well done to all.

MINIMUM POINTS FOR MOLLY.

In the three mile, a total of fifty-nine participated and all were well pleased with their performances. Best improver of the night went to Molly Byrne who received the minimum one point for her run. Carolyn Byrne succeeded in running sub twenty and for her efforts is now the current overall leader of the 3-mile divisions. Tom Leahy was very close to breaking seventeen minutes on the night, clocking 17.03. Ardmore man, Michael Hennessey had a fine run and recorded 18.51. Joan Navin and David Regan had a bit of a battle in the final stretch, with Joan getting the nod, recording 19.56 and 20.00 respectively. Caroline and Shirley Flynn are also improving weekly and no doubt their resolution for the New Year will be to beat 23 if not 22 minutes, judging by the way they are running of late.

LEAGUE RESUMES TONIGHT WITH MASS START AT 7 PM

It’s hard to believe that the Winter League has now reached the halfway stage already. There have been 7 nights in total so far in 2007, with a further 8 nights left in 2008. The League will resume again tonight, January 2nd with a 7 p.m. start for all athletes as a teenage disco is being held afterwards. Please be on time tonight. There will be no handicaps tonight; everybody will begin together at 7 p.m.

 1.100 EURO RAISED AT WEST WATERFORD ATHLETIC CLUB CHARITY NIGHT

Thanks to all runners that gave so generously for our charity night on December 19th. A grand total of €1,100 was raised for the Abbeyside/Ballinroad/Garranbane Senior Citizen’s Group. The proceeds were presented to Mrs Betty Tutty who accepted it on behalf of the group in The Rock Bar Abbeyside on the same night. Betty on behalf of the group thanked all the runners for their generosity, A great night was had by all and a big thank you to the staff at The Rock Bar Bar who ensured that we were all well looked after.

GIVE YOUR NEWS YEARS RESOLUTION A KICK START AND JOIN THE WINTER LEAGUE.

It’s that time of the year again, when we all make a new year’s resolution again. Well, this time instead of just making the resolution, how about acting on it and joining the Winter League and work your way towards a healthier and fitter you for 2008. It’s never too late to join the winter league. In fact, we always experience a surge in numbers for the month of January and all are very welcome, regardless of fitness levels. We cater for all individuals over 16 years of age and previous running experience is not essential at all. The league begins tonight, January 2nd at 7 p.m. sharp. Entry fee is just €2 for club members and €3 for non-members. It’s the perfect opportunity to get off to a good start in 2008, to work off all those calories and sweets and to become healthier and fitter in to the bargain. All you need to join is ordinary running gear and a reflective bib; no one is allowed to run without a reflective bib, for obvious safety reasons.

WINTER LEAGUE DIVISIONS-DARREN HEALY AND CAROLYN BYRNE ARE CURRENT LEADERS.

The winter league has reached the stage whereby week by week it gets more and more interesting. All along, each runner on the night was allocated their respective points. From now on, all runners are put in to divisions and will remain in these same divisions until the end. Depending on your performance each night, you may move up or down in your division. Each person’s objective will be to run the route a little bit faster each night. Lowest points are best, so the person with the least points in each division will be the winner. What makes the league so interesting is that the division leaders are likely to change each week and it’s not until the final night or two that the winner becomes apparent and there are times when it’s so close that a point or two is all that separates some people.
At the moment, our current leaders are Darren Healy in the long route and Carolyn Byrne in the short route. This means that so far, they have improved the most in their routes. There are 8 weeks left in the league and it’s anybody’s guess at the moment as to who will be crowned Winter League Champion for 2008. The overall leader in the short and the long routes will be the person with the least points. This person can be from any division.  We’ll just have to wait and see.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL.

On behalf of all at West Waterford we wish all our members, sponsors, friends and supporters a prosperous new year and may 2008 bring all that you wish for. Our thanks to the editor and staff of this news paper for all their help and co-operation throughout 2007 and we look forward to your ongoing support in the year ahead.
   

CLUB MEMBERSHIP NOW DUE.

Your club membership for the coming year is now due. At €25 you will have to agree its great value with a huge array of races over the upcoming 12 month period with something to suit everyone, check out our club web site for fixtures on www.westwaterfordathletics.org Michael Tutty is our club registrar.

DUNPHY VIVAS HEALTH DUNGARVAN 10.

The long finger is getting shorter Lads and Lassies, so don’t put sending your entry in for the February 3rd date on it.Yes it won’t be long coming around now the much anticipated Dunphy Vivas Health Dungarvan 10 miler,Get your entry away today by down loading an entry form on club web site.ww.westwaterfordathletics.org or you can pick one up at Ger Wyley Sports.Remember its just under 5 weeks away now.We are delighted to report that already over 200 entries have been received by Denise with the main influx of entries expected over the next two weeks or so.We urge all local runners to please sent in your entry today so as to make life easier on race day for those taking race entries.your cooperation with this matter is much appreciated.It’s 15 Euro pre race entry and 20 on the day.Its goin to be a good one!!!

  RAIVIS WINS SHANAGARRY 5K.

One of the final races for the year the Shanagarry 5k was held on Sunday December 23rd last and the club had two representatives at the event in the East Cork village. Raivis Zakis made the journey a worth while one taking an impressive win in a time of 15.54.This was his second year in a row winning this event, Roy Fahy of East Cork was second 16.05 and Sean McGrath also East Cork was third in 16.12. Michael McCarthy also took part from the club and Michael finished in a time of 24.03.well doesn’t to both.

WEST WATERFORD ATHLETES IN CLONMEL 4.

The Annual St.Stephen’s day 4 miler in Clonmel the Tony O’Connell memorial race was held in good weather conditions and there was a good turn out of West Waterford athletes participating in the field of 204 finishers. The clubs first man across the line was Raivis Zakis who completed the 4 miles in 20.08 finishing 4th overall with victory going to Kilkenny’s Brian Maher 19.04.Mark Shalloe was next in 37th place with a time of 24.05.Daine Behan finishing 45th with a time of 24.45 taking second Lady overall. Winner here was St.Senans Adele Walsh 24.23.Jim Fleming was 46th 24.48 and Tom O’Brien 47th 24.50.Phyllis Flynn took the fourth Ladies prize finishing 56th with a time of 25.36.Dec Flynn was 60th in a time of 25.40,Michael Wade was 88th in 26.49 and Geraldine Heffernan 149th in 31.08.Well done to all.

ANNOUNCING THE JOHN BUCKLY SPORTS/MUNSTER TEN-MILE SPRING CLASSICS

For the sixth successive year runners have the opportunity to partake in the John Buckley Sports/Munster Ten-Mile Spring Classics Series as the four races in the area from January to April combine forces in this unique Series. In the cycling world, the ‘Spring Classics’ are an integral part of the competitive year and seen as instrumental in the build-up to the more arduous Tours later in the season. The aim of this ten-mile Series is to promote each race at the classic distance of ten miles, while rewarding the runners who complete all four races with a specially commissioned long-sleeve T-shirt. As well, there will be prizes for the leading male and female runners, which will be decided on the cumulative times over the four races. Once again, John Buckley Sports has agreed to be overall sponsor of the Spring Series and if you wish to view their excellent website go to: www.johnbuckleysports.comThere is no additional entry fee for the Series – just run the four races (however – your entry must have been accepted for Ballycotton). Further details (including contacts) on the three races other than Ballycotton can be found below.
Marathon Deliveries/Mallow ’10’ – Sunday January 6th, 12.30pm.
Dunphy’s-Vivas Health/Dungarvan ’10’ – Sunday February 3rd, 1.00pm
Ballycotton ’10’ – Sunday March 9th, 1.30pm.
Sonny Murphy Memorial Kilnaboy ’10’ – Sunday April 13th, 2.00pm.
Sunday January 6th: – Marathon Deliveries/Mallow ’10’, 12.30pm.
Contact: John Holland 022-21280.
Mallow AC have been promoting a 10-mile race for a number of years, although this course has only been used since 2001. A nice flat loop, comprising of town and country roads, it has met with unanimous approval. Mallow is also well served with a good roads network, making the venue very central for people traveling from any part of the country. Last year saw a record turnout of 386 runners and the message this year is to arrive in plenty of time so that the organizers can cater for the even-larger expected entry. Since the closure of Irish Sugar, last year saw a new sponsor in Marathon Deliveries, a company fronted by well-known Mallow runner Peadar Curtis and once again they will be the overall backers for 2008.

Sunday February 3rd: – Dunphy’s-Vivas Health/Dungarvan ’10’, 1.00pm.
Contact: James Veale. 086- 8184762
Formally a 10km race, the move to ten miles a few years ago proved to be a very successful one. A new course was introduced in 2004 and last year saw a huge turnout with a total of 516 finishers. With a new sponsor this year which the club are very excited about in the shape of Dunphy’s-Visas Health, West Waterford AC have big plans for this race going forward, which is now our flagship event. Starting and finishing near the excellent facilities of the Dungarvan Crystal Sports Centre, the course uses mainly country roads and also has a potential for fast times. One of many races held in the area, the event is also part of the Michael Roche Carpets Spring Series. Please note that the race starts at 1pm and pre-entries are also welcome – details on www.westwaterfordathletics.org where you can down load the entry form. This race is now to be missed!!!!

Sunday April 13th:- Sonny Murphy Memorial Kilnaboy ’10’ (Co. Clare), 2.00pm.
Contact: Vincent McCarthy 065-6837875.
One of the oldest ‘tens’ in the country, outside of Ballycotton. Usually held on Easter Sunday, it now has settled on the second Sunday in April. The introduction of the Spring Series has also benefited this ‘Clare Classic’, which also attracted record 260 finishers last year. The slightly undulating circuit on the outskirts of The Burren contains some stunning early spring scenery, passing through the tourist village of Corrofin. The race is also an idea opportunity to enjoy an early-season break in ideal outdoor surroundings. Also, like Mallow, there is a 10km walk which starts at 1.30pm.The three races featured above are all organised by enthusiastic runners themselves, so you can be sure of a warm welcome and a well-organised race, with free refreshments and free results afterwards. Give them your support, they deserve it – and we also need to keep these races going at the classic distance of 10 miles on the road!

RUNNING QUOTE

Training can get on a man’s nerves. There is no profit or use in denying it. John Kearns.

SYMPATHY.

West Waterford AC extends sincere sympathy to the families and friends of Mrs. Josie Gough 11 Mitchell St. Dungarvan and Mrs Nellie Norris Ballinacourty whose deaths occurred recently. May they rest in peace.
 

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