GREAT TURNOUT FOR ROUND ONE OF THE MARK MASON FINANCIAL PLANNING COLLIGAN RUNNING LEAGUE.
There was a brilliant turnout last Wednesday evening in Colligan wood for round one of this year’s annual Mark Mason Financial Planning Colligan Spring League. It was brilliant to see the huge numbers on a beautiful spring evening in the equally beautiful surround of Colligan woods for the start of this year’s league which will run for another 4 Wednesday evenings at 6.30 sharp.With 127 competing on the night both the sponsor and club are delighted with the response by all who came along in such numbers to support this event. A total of 22 runners completed the 2 laps course while we had 42 who ran the 3 laps flat course of the wood and road and finally 63 took on the challenging 5 mile hill route. This year as was the case last year we will have 5 nights in total for the league and to be included in the tables you need to run 4 out of the 5 nights. This league will continue for the next 4 Wednesday evenings (April 8th, April 15th, April 22th and finally April 29th ) .so no excuses folks why not come along and give it a go for yourself even if you missed the first evening you can still join in at any stage, you will be glad you did.
HAYLEY AKEHURST FIRST HOME ON THE 2 LAP CHALLENGE .
The 2 lap challenge saw a great turnout, a total of 22 took on the challenge of the road wood circuit and they were led home by Hayley Akehurst in a time of 26.30 .Hayley was followed home by Mecca Wall who also finished on the same time 26.30 and 3rd finisher on the 2 laps was Aoife Fennell 26.31, just a second behind our first 12 finishers. Others to impress last week were Cormac Curran who clocked a time of 27.16 and Colette Barry who posted a time of 30.44, and 2 others to impress were Colette Bannon 33.38 and Paschal Hosford 35.13. Well done to all. We have plenty of room on this route for lots more runners as well, especially beginners so spread the word, Colligan is the place to be for the next 4 Wednesday evenings.
PADRAIG HEALY SHOWS THE WAY ON THE 3 LAPS FLAT COURSE.
The 3 lap’s flat course saw the largest increase in number participating over the 3 distances on offer when 42 took part a huge increase here on the 28 who ran this course the in first round last year. This league was led home by Padraig Healy in 28.27 which was good running over the 3 lap course. Padraig was followed by Shane Power with a solid run covering the 3 lap’s in a time of 28.53, Tom Foran in a time of 30.24 was 3rd past the finish post followed by David Twomey in 30.51 with Mick Concannon 5th in 31.06, our first Lady on this course last week was Tara Ni Reachtagain who clocked a time of 31.26. Others who had good performances last week included Jamie Organ 34.28 and Bronagh Condon 34.34, Sinead Moore and Geraldine Sinnott both crossed the line together and posted times of 38.53.Well done to all who took part in week 1, just keep up the effort now guys for the next 4 weeks it will be worth it.
MARK AND MOSSIE BATTLE IT OUT ON THE 5 MILE HILLS COURSE.
Another very good entry of 63 on the night for round 1 on the 5 mile hills course last week, this number was exactly the same number who took part on this course in 2025.This course is the main event if you like and it isn’t for the faint hearted as you are taking on this tougher challenge with 2 substantial climbs on this course and anyone who takes it on are to be commended for their efforts. Mark Walsh was our first runner home but he wasn’t handed the victory on a plate as he had to work hard all the way to the finish line as he was pressed hard by Mossie Keogh ( jnr) and there was just 2 seconds separated them at the finish line 33.45 and 33.47 respectively, I don’t recall such a close finish to this 5 mills hill course for many years back so well done to both last it will be interesting to see how this one plays out over the next 4 weeks. Tom O’Neill ran well to finish 3rd last week when he clocked time of 34.26 and he too had to be on his guard as Mossie Keogh ( snr) was closing fast over the latter part of the course finishing just 17 seconds behind 34.43.Martin Holmes was 5th man in 35.00, The first Lady past the finish post in round 1 was Angela Tobin in 37.41, Angela of course no stranger to the hills as she last year won Munster and National as well as international honours in hill running with Colligan all in a day’s training for Angela, 2nd lady was Anne Moore nicely under the 40 minute barrier with a time of 39.58.Well done to each and every athlete who ran the Colligan Hills –we will do it all again this Wednesday at 6.30.see ye in the bridge.!!
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR.
Once again thanks to Mark Mason of Mark Mason Financial Planning Barrack St. Cappoquin for his kind sponsorship and also for his attendance at the league each year. As always thank you to Shirley, Ray , Sharon, Jamie Liam ,Ann,Jim, Gerry and Declan for all their help on the night also.
2026 WEST WATERFORD AC REMAINING FIXTURES
1st April to 29th April 2026-Mason Colligan Hill League for 5 Wednesdays
06th April 2026-Aglish CHUI Crumlin charityFun Run
08th May 2026-AHS Tuning Ballinroad 5k
22nd May 2026-Round Tower Hotel Ardmore 5 Mile
5th June 2026-Dungarvan Leader Dromana 5 Mile
26th June 2026-Oriel Bar Ballymac 5 Mile
3rd July 2026- Old Head Financial Ballinameala 5k
17th July 2026- Sherry Fitzgerald Reynolds Dungarvan 10 k
29th August 2026-Waterford Greenway Half Marathon
15th November 2026-Murrays Pharmacy Brickey 5k
06th December 2026-Clean zone Technologies Old Parish Turkey Trot
CLUB MEMBERSHIP 2026.
The club membership for 2026 can now be paid. The club membership is for the calendar year January to December. You can pay your membership online by logging onto the athletics Ireland web site and just follow the instruction under membership, all membership renewals have been sent to your e mail address some weeks ago.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING NEXT FRIDAY.
The clubs annual general meeting will take place on next Friday April 10th at 8pm in St Laurence’s hall Ballinroad . All members are welcome to attend.
