EUROFINS WATERFORD GREENWAY HALF MARATHON SET FOR AUGUST 31ST.
Course Information.
This is perhaps one of the flattest routes for a half marathon in the country with a net elevation of -100 mts. Please note that the course this year has a slightly altered start and finish line, the race start is now 2km from the coach house café and the finish line will be 100 meters the Waterford side of the Railway café in Ballinroad. Not only is it flat it also contains some incredible scenery along the way. From the old Workhouse built in 1850 in the beautiful village of Kilmacthomas over the Kilmacthomas viaduct to the stunning views of the Comeragh mountains to the North, cross over Durrow viaduct past Durrow Railway Station where the old platform and station still stand. Then it’s on to the spectacular Ballyvoile tunnel, a 400mt long tunnel which is full of atmosphere (don’t forget to watch out for the fairy door’s on either side). Next you will cross over the Ballyvoile viaduct, blown up in 1922 but now restored to its former glory. From here you can almost smell the sea as you round the headland and take in the spectacular views of Clonea strand and Dungarvan Bay. Then it’s downhill all the way to the finish as you take in the sights along the way, through the 12 mile mark and the playground in Ballinroad to the finish line just 400 meters from the playground area.
ELITE ENTRIES.
Entries are now closed but if you wish to apply as an elite runner please send your information to info@westwaterfordathletics.org stating your name, date of birth, club and fastest time and location for either half marathon or 10 mile race ran in the last 3 years. Half Marathon time: Under 1.20 for men (1.30 for women) 10 Mile Time: Under 60 mins for men (65 for women)
EUROFINS WATERFORD GREENWAY HALF MARATHON PRIZES.
Once again we are delighted to have local company Eurofins as our title sponsor for this unique event and we thank them for their commitment to this race and to our club. In conjunction with Waterford City and County Council this is a 13.1 mile race along the now famous old Waterford/Dungarvan Railway line. This fantastic amenity opened officially in 2017 and has already experienced visitors from all over the country and beyond. Users are amazed by this 46 km spectacular off-road cycling and walking trail along an old railway line between Waterford and Dungarvan.Please note this is a point to point race starting at the Coachhouse Kilmacthomas and finishing near Ballinroad, Dungarvan. Entry fee includes bus from Ballinroad to the start line in Kilmacthomas. As usual each year we try to support a local charity and this year we have chosen . “RAPID RESPONSE VEHICLE FOR WEST WATERFORD” .We all know how valuable this vehicle will be to our community and hopefully we can raise some much needed funds to help this project as they are a voluntary organisation who rely on the public for support.
THE PAUL BRUNNOCK AND PAULA COLLINS PERPETUAL CUPS.
Last year for the 5th edition of this race we introduced 2 special cups in the race when the club and families of two of our cherished members Paul Brunnock and Paula Collins who sadly have passed to their eternal reward and are remember with the introduction of these two beautiful trophies presented in their memory. The Paul Brunnock cup to the men’s winner and the Paula Collins cup to the Ladies winner of the Waterford Greenway half marathon So for the second occasion these two cups will have the winners names inscribed on them.
INAUGURAL SEAMUS O’DROMA AWARD PRESENTED TO FR MICHAEL ENRIGHT.
In memory of Seamus O’ Droma who passed away in March of this year, the Ó Droma family recently launched the inaugural “Seamus Ó Droma Award”. The award was presented for the first time at the recent Ras Na Rinne and will be held on an annual basis. The idea of the award is that it would be presented to an individual, a group, an organisation, the athletics stalwart, the first-timer, the first home, the last home, the youngest, the oldest- basically the recipient(s) will have made a positive contribution towards running in any of its various forms keeping with how Seamus himself would have viewed the sport, always available to give helpful advice when needed.Seamus’s approach to running was unique. Never in the limelight but always respected for his achievements both as an athlete and an encourager towards running. He competed in every distance from 5k’s up to 50 mile runs, with the marathon being his forte. He guided and trained many local people to run their first marathon, with a style becoming of his determination and humour. Following the presentation of prizes at Mooney’s Pub after the recent Ras na Rinne the award was officially launched by Darren O’Droma son of the late Seamus on behalf of Maryrose,Darren, Liam, Fiona and extended O’Droma family members .This night was also a night of reunion of Seamus’s past team mates from his early days with St. Niochlas’s A.C. and this added to a great night of stories and celebration.Fr Michael Enright was an invited guest along with club founders John Harty and Jimmy Costin who unfurtunality were unable to attend on the night. These and other’s were driving force of St Nicholas AC in An Rinn. Fr Michael served the community in An Rinn for some years. Fr Enright blessed the magnificent crystal trophy Criostal Na Rinne hand crafted by a life long friend of Seamus, Éamonn Terry master cutter and proprietor of the company.Darren had the envelope with the inaugural winners name which was chosen by the selection committee and to great prolonged applause and delight for everyone present Fr Michael Enright himself was announced as the recipient much to the surprise of the man himself who it has to be said on this occasion was pretty much stuck for words but delighted to have been honoured by the community in An Rinn which he holds a lifelong association with. It was a great occasion to see so many of his former Athletes present on the night including the Treacy family as John Ray and Liz were all members of that club at that time. John send a vey nice video link message as he was unavoidably unable to attend but many others of the Treacy family were present along with many of local family members who were part and parcel of the club, a very nice array of old photos remembering the club and many of its members were shown as Darren O’ Droma gave a detailed account of the club and its members. A worthy recipient in Fr Michael a leader in the sport for so many years and hopefully over the years to come more will be thanked for their contribution to athletics when this award is presented remembering a man who loved the sport of athletics and helped so many achieve their goals, Seamus O’ Droma .
COLM RYAN MEMORIAL RUN TO AID IRISH CANCER SOCIETY.
Touraneena Runners in association with West Waterford Athletic Club are hosting a Memorial run in memory of the late Colm Ryan on Sunday 15th September starting at 11am in Touraneena.Colm was a champion of the Irish Cancer Society and raised substantial monies for this worthy cause before his untimely passing in April 2023. This 5 k run/walk in his memory will continue this great work with all proceeds from the event donated to the society.
YOUGHAL BAY 10K AND HAL MARATHON.
RUNNER UP SPOTS FOR AIDAN CONNELL AND KATE VEALE.
The Youghal Bay 10k and half marathon races were held last Sunday in Youghal and they had great numbers in both events.The 10k saw a field of 652 competing and the overall winner was Jeremiah Sheehan North Cork AC in a time of 32.36.Club member Aidan Connell had a brilliant run finishing runner up to Jeremiah with a time of 33.30 another outstanding run by Aidan.In the ladies race the winner was Linda Kelly Watergrasshill AC in a time of 39.34 and here again club member finished in the runner up spot when Kate Veale ran a time of 40.25.In the half marathon another large field competed with overall victory going to Kane Collins Donore Harriers AC in a time of 1.11.20 and the Ladies winner was Aoife Cooke Eagle AC in a fast time of 1.18.52 finishing 8th overall. Again here West Waterford AC were very well represented with Mick Concannon leading the pack home in 1.40.44 in the race and our first Lady home over the half distance was Liz Nyhan in 1.44.45
Very well done to all members who ran both distances.
10K.
Aidan CONNELL 33;30
Kate VEALE 40.25
Michael DUNFORD 42:53
Donal O’MAHONY 45:04
Brian WALSH 48:05
Denise WALSH 51:27
Kim DALY 52:31
Ornaith KEANE 53:53
Martina BEECHINOR 54:32
Catriona CROWE 54:53
Diane BENNETT 55:39
Onra POWER 56:44
Jacqui MURRAY 56:34
Deirdre DALY 56:53
` Jim O BRIEN 57:53
Aisling CUSACK 59:26
Sarah DUFFY 60:02:52
HALF MARATHON.
Mick Concannon 1.40.44
Jerry POWER 1:41:34
Gareth POPE 1:44:31
Liz NYHAN 1:44:45
Stephen CURRAN 1:46:01
Ron ILSLEY 1:46:28
Tom LEAHY 1:47:13
Tomas MAHONY 1:48:44
Cait VERLING 1:51:10
Eoin WALSH 1:53:34
Kieran DALY 1:57:05
Joe O ROURKE 2:02:57
Mary CAHILL 2:03:01
Mark LENIHAN 2:02:58
Grainne O BRIEN 2:05:01
Patricja DALY 2:05:06
Geraldine BARRY 2:17:19
Deirdre WHELAN DEVINE 2:38:23
EVAN FITZGERALD WINS USAC 5K STRIDE.
The United striders 5k stride race took place in Wexford on Friday evening last and a good size field of 267 complete the distance on the day. The club had 3 athletes competing on the day and all 3 ran very well especially the race winner Evan Fitzgerald who clocked as time fine time of 14.39, another fine run by Evan, also competing was Naoise Mac Murchadha who clocked an excellent 15.59 to come home 9th overall and first Junior. Another club member who is improving with every outing is Cathal Reynolds and he ran a PB time of 17.35. Well done to the 3 lads on great results here.
