ROUND ONE OF THE MASON MORTGAGES AND FINANCIAL SERVICES COLLIGAN RUNNING LEAGUE.
SUNSHINE AND SOME HILLS.
After a little down time after the John Treacy Dungarvan 10 efforts it was back to business last Wednesday evening in the beautiful surround of Colligan Woods for our Annual Mark Mason Mortgages and Financial Services Colligan Spring League. Always a popular event and the start in many ways of our spring/summer programme of races it was brilliant to see a record number turn up for round one. Two things come straight to mind from round one,the weather was unreal absolutely beautiful night and the 2nd thing was the turnout of runners by far the largest ever seen for this event by a long shot with lots of new faces and some of the usual ones as well and all were welcome. The largest number ever previously for this event was 107 and last Wednesday evening we had a field of 130 which was brilliant to see, but remember Colligan has plenty of room so bring along a friend next week.Before the league start we introduced all the runners to club member Joe Gough who came along to run and show us his world over 70 masters 800 meters gold and 1.500 meters silver medals won the previous week at the world masters indoors in Florida USA.We got underway then at 6.30 in the presence of our league sponsor Mark Mason and we would like to thank Mark once again for his sponsorship and being present to get the league underway. A total of 39 runners completed the 2 laps, this number in 2023 2 years ago was only 16 so massive numbers here, we had 28 well up on the 23 from last year who ran the 3 laps flat course of the wood and road and finally 4563 took on the challenging 5 mile hill route, this saw the largest increase as we had 45 in last years round 1 hills.This year again 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 9th, April 16th, April 23rd and finally April 30th) .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 came along .
LAURA FLAVIN LEADS 2 LAP CHALLENGE RUNNERS HOME.
The 2 lap challenge saw a great turnout, indeed the largest by a long way ever when 39 took on the challenge of the road wood circuit and they were led home by Laura Flavin with a brilliant time of 21.33.Laura was followed home by the only male in the top 15 places Paul Murray who clocked time of 23.36,with 3rd home Carol Walsh in 23.56,coinsidently Carol was also 3rd in round 1 of this league last years also but the good news is she improved her time greatly as she clocked a time of 25.05 in 2024.4th finisher on the 2 lap fresh from some warm weather training was Catriona Crowe clocked a time of 24:37 while in 5th place was Tina Crotty breaking the 25 minutes with a time of 24:54 and in 6th was Sinéad Hehir in 25:12.There was a huge increase in numbers from previous years running the 2 laps which was brilliant to see with 39 runners competing .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 if you would like to give a bit of easy running a go for the next 4 Wednesday evenings.
JASON TRAVERS IMPRESSIVE ON THE 3 LAPS FLAT COURSE.
The 3 laps flat like the 2 lap saw a record number in this distance with 28 taking part. This distance was led home by Jason Travers in a very good time of 29.14.Jason no stranger to running the leagues in Colligan as he is a regular every year and mixes up the distances from year to year.Our 2nd runner home over the flat 3 circuit was Kate Wall and Kate ran a very steady well-disciplined pace finishing in 31.26. 3rd past the post was David Towey in 32:30 and David had just 16 seconds to spear over the fast finishing Liz Nyhan who as 4th in 32.46.Well-known local teacher and GAA team manager Daragh Duggan is keeping his fitness level to a premium by running the league and clocked 33.32 for his effort. The 6th runner was Martin Colivet with a timing of 34.02.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 your efforts.
CHRISTOPHER AYLWARD PROVES STRONGEST ON THE 5 MILE HILLS .
To round off a record breaking field in all distances ever for this league was aw a field of 63 toe the line for the 5 mile hills course. This course takes on the 2 main climbs of Colligan woods the first on the wooden bridge side then crossing the road onto the country hill side as we call it, but of course for the seasoned runner you won’t get better training ground than the hills of Colligan Woods.Our first runner home in round one was a welcome visitor from Clonmel Christopher Aylward who cross the finish line in 32.17 which was very good running for the hills course. Sean Stilwell was next in a time of 32.46,good to see Sean out doing a bit of running once again. The hardy Eugene O’Keeffe was next in 33.21, Eugene a master athlete showing a clean pair of heels to many of the younger lads here. Mark Walsh was next with 33.44 holding off the fast finishing James Coade who was 5th in 34.16 with Dermot Gough 6th in 34.41 .Our first female finisher for round one was Niamh O’Donovan in 38.55 the same place she finished in last year when she lead the Ladies home in round one again. Linda Foley was our 2nd Female last week and she ran a time of 42.09. Ciara Holmes was our 3rd Lady in 44:17.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 Mortgages and Financial Services Barrack St. Cappoquin for his kind sponsorship and also for his attendance at the league each year. Thank you to our crew last week which included Shirley,Ray ,Jamie, Gerry,Liam and Declan for all their help on the night.
FORMAT OF THE LEAGUE.
Over the course of the 5 weeks of the league we will keep a record of each person’s finishing position. If you finish first you get one point, fifth place will earn you 5 points and so on. All runners will be put in to divisions of 5 and after the five weeks the winner of each division will receive a prize. Prizes will be awarded to those in each route and the divisions make it fun and interesting and all the more enjoyable.
DATES OF THE LEAGUE.
Round 2: April 9th at 6.30 p.m.
Round 3: April 16th at 6.30 p.m.
Round 4: April 23th at 6.30 p.m.
Round 5: April 30 at 6.30 p.m.
COBH 10.
CATEGORY WIN FOR JOSIE.
A field of 950 ran this morning’s Cobh 10 mile road race in ideal conditions. The race winner was Ben O’Connor in a time of 48.15 and the Ladies winner was Lily Partridge in a time of 54.55.West Waterford was represented at the event with 11 athletes taking part. First past the post was John Coffey breaking the 60 minute barrier with a time of 59.24 and John finished 3rd in the over 45 age category, John was followed by Niall Barry 68.07, our first Lady home was Eveleen Drohan in 74.00. Congratulations to Josie Uí Chuirrín who took the first Lady over 65 prizes. Well done to all.
John COFFEY 00:59:24
Niall BARRY 01:08:07
Eveleen DROHAN 01:14:00
Michael CUMMINS 01:23:58
Martina BEECHINOR 01:32:23
Josie UÍ CHUIRRÍN 01:32:01
Patricja DALY 01:35:03
Owen POWER 01:37:08
Rose POWER 01:48:37
Caroline RUSSELL 01:48:39
Brian HEALY 02:03:33
SUPER RUN BY MARK FLYNN IN VIENNA MARATHON.
A very nice marathon event but one not on everyone’s bucket list is the Vienna Marathon. This race was held last Sunday morning in near freezing weather conditions on a very good course around the city and had just fewer than 7.000 finishers. The marathon was won by Haftamu Abadi Ethiopia in 2.08 and the Ladies race was won by Betty Chepkemoi, Kenya in 2.24.14.One of our club members was among the athletes taking part Mark Flynn who was targeting a time of 3.10,after a first half split of 1.32.44 and at that stage in 857th place how ran a blinder for the second half in fact he was 4 minutes faster clocking 1.28.44 and had moved through the field to finish in 356th place overall with a brilliant time of 3.01 27. Mark was one of Colligan GAA’s lead players for 2 decades and took on a bit of running only a few years back keeping fit off season and taking part mainly in our winter league for this reason ,he obviously has talent as a runner as well as a footballer/hurler. Well done, we know the next goal now don’t we ????
11th ANNUAL AGLISH FUN RUN/WALK IN AID OF CRUMLIN.
The 11th Annual Aglish Fun Run/Walk is back and will take place on Easter Monday 21st April 2025. Registration from 11.30am on the day and costs €10 / Donation.The popular 5k Walk and run will kick off at 11.30. All proceeds to Children’s Health Foundation Crumlin. Numerous Spot Prizes. All are welcome
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING.
The clubs annual general meeting will take place on Friday April 11th at 7.30 in Abbeyside Tennis Club pavilion. All members are welcome to attend.
SYMPATHY.
West Waterford athletic club extend sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Clodagh Foley Coolydoody Farm, Ballyduff Upper, Waterford who passed to her eternal reward last week, may she rest in peace.
