re's Baldy man run, which was postponed over the Christmas period due to inclement weather, took place last Sunday with a much smaller field than would have taken part on the original date. Nevertheless 155 runners and walkers turned out helping to raise much needed funds for this years race charity recipients Our Ladies hospital for Sick Children Crumlin.The day was perfect for the event with conditions good and dry. A big crowd were on hand to cheer the runners and walkers as they made there way across the beautiful sandy beach at Tramore towards the sand dunes and back to again to the finish at the end of the prom. A race over a shorter distance was held for under 16's and again there was a small turn out for this. West Waterford did provide both the winner's however when boys race was won by David Earley and the girls race by Kate Veale. Kate also won this race in 2006.
Shortly after the Junior race was over, the first of the Seniors were to be seen on their return trip to the finish at the prom and well clear of the field as he came across the finish line was West Waterford's Raivis Zakis in 31.15. This was a little off last years winning time of 30.57, however on Sunday last all participants were in agreement that the sand conditions were much softer than last year. Raivis has now won this race two years in succession.
In second place was Peter Dugan St. Josephs AC 32.31. Peter also finished in this same position in last years race. Third place was filled by Patrick Flynn Ferrybank in a time of 32.45. The over 40 title this year went to Larry Lacey St. Josephs AC in a time of 33.32 and West Waterford's Joe Gough took the over 50 prize for the third year in succession with a time of 35.07.
1st Junior went to birthday boy Mark Shalloe West Waterford AC in a time of 35.00.Mark who was celebrating his 17th birthday on the day finished a very good 11th overall. The club team prize was won by Waterford AC with the team consisting of Des Colbert 5th Jim Baldwin 6 th and Frank Walsh 7th a total of 18 points. And the team winners of the non-club section were Dunhill- Noel Murphy, 12th Eamon Murphy 21st and Jane Murphy 121st.
JUDY HANRAHAN WINS OVER 35 SECTION.
Last years Lady's winner West Waterford's Diane Behan was our first Lady finisher last Sunday in 3rd place on this occasion in a time of 38.28. The winner last Sunday was Marie Halley Ferrybank 37.41 and in second place was Maria Murphy- Griffin Waterford AC 38.03.Maria was also second last year with a time of 38.31,so a good improvement for her.
West Waterford's Judy Hanrahan recorded a good win in the over 35 section with a time of 47.41 and Phillipa Carney Tramore took the over 40 title in 45.02.
Well done to Michael Flynn and his team in Tramore for another well organised event and congratulations to them on raising a substantial amount of money from the race all of which was donated to Our Ladies hospital Crumlin. Hopefully this years race scheduled for late December will go ahead as planned and the numbers taking part we hope will rise to previous levels once again. Thanks also to Gerry and Breda Cantwell, Michael Tutty, Michael Deegan and Brid Veale who looked after the race entries, results, P.A. etc.
RESULTS FROM BALDY MAN RUN.
1ST Men Raivis Zakis West Waterford AC 31.15
2nd Peter Duggan St.Josephs AC 32.31
3rd Patrick Flynn Ferrybank AC 32.45
1st over 40 Larry Lacey St.Josephs AC 33.32
1st over 50 Joe GoughWest Waterford AC 35.07
1st Junior Mark Shalloe West Waterford AC 35.00 2nd Junior Eamon Murphy Ind 37.32
3rd Junior Alex Flynn Tramore 40.26
1st club team Waterford AC.Des Colbert, Jim Baldwin and Frank Walsh
1st non-athletic team. Dunhill-Noel, Eamon and Jane Murphy
1st Ladies Marie Halley Ferrybank AC 37.41
2nd Maria Murphy-Griffin Waterford AC 38.03
3rd Diane Behan West Waterford AC 38.28
1st Over 35 Judy Hanrahan West Waterford AC 47.41
1st over 40 Phillipa Carney Ind 45.02
1st Boy David Earley West Waterford AC
1st Girl Under 14 Kate Veale West Waterford AC
SANDIS RECORDS FINE WIN IN ENNISCORTHY 10K.
Sandis Bralitis and Jim Fleming were the club's only two representatives at the Slaney Olympic My Sport Enniscorthy 10 k last Sunday and it was a worthwhile trip for both. Sandis lead the race of 156 runners plus 100 walkers from start to finish coming home a clear and comfortable winner in a time of 31.47.Jim Fleming also had a very good run finishing in a time of 37.26.Both Men can be well pleased with their performances.
ALLROUNDER SPORT WINTER LEAGUE.
IT'S THE FINAL COUNT DOWN.
Tonight, Wednesday, sees the final round in the current All Rounder Sport winter league. The event organisers are going to round off the league with a mass start for both distances. The 2.6-mile league will head off at 7.30 sharp and the 5.7-mile run will follow 5 minutes later. So who's in the shake up for the overall title??
In the longer league over the 5.7 mile course it really is down to two athletes for this years overall title of Winter league champion. Holding the upper hand is Michael Dunford with 545 points from previous winner Tony Shalloe who is on 572 points.27 points is not an insurmountable tally and one cannot rule out the Brickey man but Dunford would have to be hot favourite now to hold onto his lead and take the title for the first time. Both should have a little in the tank still for the final all stops out, mass start run tonight. May the best Man win.
Division 2 is a real show down between Pat Frisby on 719 point and just 1 point behind is Hugh O'Connor with 720 points. Hugh is one of the runners who moved up to the 5.7 this year after running the 2.6 the previous year. I'm certainly not sticking my head on the block for this one its in the lap of the god's lads.
In division 3 the inform Sinead Crotty has a 37 point lead over Mark Gallagher and looks likely to take this division. While in division 4 Onra Power and Trevor Walsh still have a little work to do tonight with 20 points separating them as they battle for the top slot her., I will give the nod to Onra here by a slim margin.
Michael Deegan is more or less home and dry in division 5 as he leads Ann Dunford by 59 points. Michael has won more winter league divisions than any other runner in the history of the league to date.
In division 6 Pa O' Reilly basically has to turn up to claim the win as he is now 163 points clear of David Connors. Likewise in division 7 Earl Navin is leading with 866 points from Michael Moloney and Paddy Power both on 981 points, with 115 points separating them Earl is a dead cert., Alan Browne and Aisling Bannon are having a real tussle for division 8 with Alan leading by just 44 points. Aisling could give him a scare tonight, but you would have to say Alan will hold on by a short head.
In the 2.7 mile league it could be a Male or it could be a Female. Angeline Drennan did herself no harm recently when winning the guess your time league night when it moved her into first place, and there she has remained for the last while. She has a lead of 19 points over long time leader Ger Howley and both will give it their all tonight in the mass start, best of luck to you both. Liam Moore is in 3 rd place here with 521 points.
Liam Crowe is leading division 2 with 71 points separating him and Maria Kiely. Liam will likely hold on here for the win. Ardmore's Michael Hennessey is also likely to hold onto his lead in division 3 with 63 points separating himself and David Regan. There's a real battle going on in division 4 between leader Gillian McNamara and Niamh Budds with only 6 points separating both, no call on this one from me, best of luck girls.
Aaron Cartlidge looks to have enough of a lead in division 5 to take the title as he leads by 62 points from Amanda Mansfield. In division 6 Fianait Ni Bhriain is leading Mark Mason by 108 points and looks to be home and dry. Blathnaid Foley however has to keep on her guard in division 7 as Rose Fleming is lurking closely only 33 points behind.
There's a right battle going on in division 8 with three runners in with a shout. Leading with 1074 points is Bernard Walsh with league sponsor Pierce Moloney is hot pursuit with 1100 points just 26 points separating them and to add fuel to the fire Tara Skehan is only another 2 points behind Pierce. All the divisions will be decided one way or another tonight, best of luck to all, give it wally!!!!
MYSTERY TOUR GETS UNDER WAY FROM THE LOCAL BAR.
With the league finishing tonight Wednesday the much talked about and eagerly awaited mystery tour takes place this coming Friday night 23 rd where the prizes will be presented by our league sponsor Pierce Moloney. All is now in place for Another great social night in the club and with the bus now more or less full, it looks like we will have a packed house. Of course the question on everyone lips this week is where are we going? Well I don't have the answer to that one. I guess like every other year we will just have to wait to find out.
Tour organiser Finbarr Kelly have asked us through the club notes to remind everyone going on the mystery tour that we will meet at The Local Bar in Grattan Square from 7.00 PM.
KEEP UP TO SPEED.
With the winter league now coming to a close, its most important for those runners who took part should now try to keep up their fitness levels coming into the spring of the year. Don't let all those Wednesday night's of running in very difficult weather condition this year slip. West Waterford AC will help you keep fit and healthy this spring.
With this in mind Tony Ryan is starting his speed training sessions from the Waterford Crystal Centre each Wednesday evening at 6.30 pm. This will especially cater for newcomers as well as the more seasoned runners. And all are welcome with everyone catered for. These sessions will continue each Wednesday night from the centre at 6.30 PM.
RUNNING QUOTE.
"The quicker you get there the shorter the pain".
Sean Stilwell.
BAUSCH AND LOMB KILMACTHOMAS 5 NEXT SUNDAY
On Sunday next February 25th the Annual Bausch and Lomb sponsored Kilmacthomas 5 mile road race will take place. This is race number three in this years Michael Roche Carpets spring series of road races. The organising committee in Kilmacthomas headed up by Michael and Nicola Dee have a great deal of work put into this event and we request all our members to come along and support their efforts on the day.
Entries will be taken at the community hall Kilmacthomas at the top of the town with the entry fee being 8 Euro. Shower facilities will also be available in this hall after the event for both Men and Women. To cater for everyone on the day the organisers are also promoting a 2.7 mile fun run and walk which will start at 1 .30 pm the main race will start at 2 PM.
With the help of the very generous sponsorship, very kindly given by Bausch and Lomb, a very attractive prize fund will be on offer with a total of over 1,000 Euro cash on for the top competitors and plenty of spots for down the field finishers.
The categories are as follows:
MEN-1st 2nd and 3rd, 1st over 40,45,50,55 and 1st Junior.
LADIES- 1st 2nd and 3rd, 1st over 35,40,45,50,1st Junior.
Prizes will also be awarded to the 1st 2nd and 3rd Man and 1st 2nd and 3rd Woman in the 2.7 mile run.
Presentation of prizes will take place at Kirwans Bar on the Main St. where sandwiches and refreshments will be available to all.
MICHAEL ROCHE CARPETS SPRING SERIES
Entries to this years Michael Roche Carpets Spring Series are the highest for some time with over 90 already entered. If you haven't entered in Colligan or at the Glaxosmithkline 10 next Sunday will be your last chance as entries close at the Bausch and Lomb Kilmacthomas 5.
Division's are now set and will be on display at the Kilmac race. The four race series will finish with the 25th Annual Eason Dungarvan 10 k on Sunday March 11th.Remember its three from the four race series to count.
CLUB SOCIAL.
Ticket sales are well advanced for our upcoming club social at the Park Hotel on Friday March 30th.Priced at 30 euro each our band for the night are called " Never heard of them" followed with a disco by The Mad Hatter. A night not to be missed we will be presenting athlete of the year awards for Senior and Masters plus an array of County, Munster and National medals to a host of club athletes. Ann Dunford is the lady to see for your tickets.
NATIONAL INDOORS CHAMPIONSHIPS.
NEW PERSONAL BEST VAULT FOR LIAM HOULIHAN.
The National Senior indoors championships were held last Saturday and Sunday at The Odyssey Arena Belfast and the club had two athletes competing. Liam Houlihan Pole Vault and James Ledingham 1500 meters. David McCarthy was also due to travel but unfortunately at the last minute came down with flu and was unable to make the trip. We wish him a speedy recovery.
James Ledingham, as we said, competed in the 1500 meters and was drawn in heat one with two to qualify. After a very slow start to the race James decided to take up the pace. It was a very close finish with James just edged out finishing 3rd in a very good time of 4.08.James can be well pleased with this run as on his last outing over this distance he clocked 4.15,so a well worth while trip for the Army man.
Liam Houlihan was also a happy camper leaving the arena Saturday night when he finished 6 th overall in the championship and credited himself with a personal best vault of 4.35. Congratulations to Liam on his steady progress in this very difficult and technical sport.
WERE ALL OFF AGAIN TO THE BALLYCOTON 10.
Just as the song says, “We’re all off again to the Ballycotton 10”.This years race takes place on Sunday March 4th and a very large contingent of West Waterford runners are travelling. Race numbers will be reaching everyone this week so if your unsuccessful entry has not been returned to you by now, you're in.
A bus is being arranged for any athletes from the club interested in travelling on it and this bus will leave the Park Hotel at 10 AM sharp and it will return at 9 PM approx. Your name along with 12 Euro will secure your place on the bus. This is on a first come first served bases, until the bus is full; Ann Dunford and Albert McGrath are taking the names and money. We have also arranged the usual stop off in Shanagarry where we have the use of the local G.A.A. club showers, by kind permission.
