EUROFINS WATERFORD GREENWAY HALF MARATHON NEXT SATURDAY.
So it’s all systems go for this coming Saturday morning at 9am when 750 runners will be in Kilmacthomas lining up for the 13.1 mile race the Eurofins Waterford Greenway half marathon which will finish in Ballinroad. The club committee have been working diligently behind the scenes to make this a memorable day for all especially our visiting athletes, many will be having their very first run on the greenway and we hope it will a memorable one for them and that they will come back with more family members in the future to visit Waterford’s Gem. We hope now that the man above will look down on us favourably and give us a good fine dry day with no wind so we can show off this amazing amenity on our doorstep which is there to be enjoyed by all.
PRIZES ON OFFER.
The prizes for this race will be as follows. 1st 5 Men and Women
Ladies Categories
1st and 2nd O/35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60,65
1st Junior
Men
1st and 2nd O/40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65,70
1st Junior
We will also have 2 Men’s and 2 Ladies team prizes with first 3 finishing positions to score outside individual prize winners.
Note: Cash prizes will be given to the Men’s and Ladies winners and all category prizes will be vouchers.
RACE DAY PACK.
Your race pack containing your number were posted last week please ensure to bring it with you on race day. We ask runners not to transfer numbers as this ultimately delays proper and correct race results. If you forget your number on the day we will be on hand to help you out. If any information on your number is incorrect please contact My Run Results directly on support@myrunresults.com
SPECIAL PARKING NOTICE FOR WEST WATERFORD GREENWAY HALF MARATHON.
With limited parking around the vicinity of the finish line on race day , we are appealing to all our club and indeed all local runners taking part not to park on the roadway arpund Ballinroad at all on the morning, leaving as many spaces as possible to our visiting runners. We are asking all runners taking the bus to start in Kilmacthomas to park in the field signposted at Ballinroad. You cooperation with this matter is greatly appreciated and will be a huge help to us on the day.
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.
SHARED SPACE ON RACE DAY.
As this is a SHARED SPACE (i.e the Greenway will be open to other users on the day) we respectfully request that all runners keep to the left of the path. Runners must be aware of bikes and oncoming Greenway users at all times. THIS IS A SHARED SPACE. KEEP LEFT AND PASS RIGHT. Please do not run any more than 2 abreast and leave room for others to pass. We cannot stress this strongly enough we do not want any accidents on the day and rules of the road will still apply to this route.
EUROFINS GREENWAY HALF MARATHON RACE PACERS.
We will provide some pacers for this race but as it is a unique course and a shared space we will limit the pacers as we feel that pacers could potentially create too many large groups of runners which could cause a problem. To this end we have decided to go with pacers for the following times.
1 hour 25 mins
1 hour 30 min
1 hour 40 mins
1 hour 45 mins
1 hour 45 mins
1 hour 50 mins
2 hours
2 hours 10 mins
2 hours 20 mins
Pacers will be easily recognisable on the day as they will be holding balloons. We request that runners slot themselves in behind the pacer who they feel most comfortable with. The start will be narrow and to avoid accidents or tripping it is advisable to go behind the pacer that you can keep up with. This will ensure that the start is safe and secure for all. Remember you will be chip timed anyway so it doesn’t matter how long it takes you to cross the start line.
Water Stops.
We will provide water at 3 locations along the route and also at the finish line in your post-race goody bag. Please be aware that due to restrictions on dumping etc. this water will be in cups to minimise dumping/clean-up of a 13.1 mile route.In keeping with the ‘Green’ ethos of the race we ask that you leave no trace and leave the Greenway as you find it. Any gel wrappers can either be carried to the finish line or left at one of the 3 water stops. Anyone seeing dumping on the route will be disqualified –no exceptions!
“REFILL IRELAND” KEEPS THE GREENWAY GREEN.
West Waterford athletic club is delighted to announce that Refill Ireland will be in attendance at the finish line of this year’s Eurofins Waterford Greenway half marathon on Saturday August 31st next to rehydrate all the runners when they cross the finish line.
Who are Refill Ireland and what do they do ?
The company was started in 2017 after its founder realised that most of us have completely lost our connection to what happens with our waste — and if more people had access to public drinking water and a reusable bottle, they could make an immediate impact on the amount of plastic waste in Ireland. Refill.ie is here to help solve the plastic problem with practical solutions. Making a decision to take on single use plastic has become a community-led movement — bringing people together to reduce pollution right at the source and we at West Waterford athletic club are we hope doing our little bit by engaging with Refill Ireland and having them supply the event with fresh water and reusable water cups as their Mobile Hydration Stations will be placed at the finish line in Ballinroad.
Earphones.
As with all West Waterford A.C. races, the use of Headphones is not allowed… We have to insist on this rule as you need to be aware of cyclists (listen for bells ringing) and other runners trying to pass and also so that you can hear safety stewards instructions. Why do you need headphones? You will be running along some of the most scenic areas in the country, look around you…. Take it in and perhaps chat to your fellow runners along the way!
The Finish Line.
When you complete your run please proceed through the finish tunnel. Please do not block up this area and proceed to The Railway Café area where your T Shirt pick up, goodie bag and Refreshments will be waiting, Gear dropped at start line can be picked up at top of Greenway at Clonea junction also.
THE LATE JIMMY COSTIN RIP.
West Waterford AC extends sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Jimmy Costin who passed to his eternal reward this week.Jimmy a life time athletics stalwart was a founding member of St Nicholas AC in An Rinn in 1962.Jimmy was a cross country athlete of a very high standard and in 1964 he won the Waterford Youths Championship and lead the team to first. With his St Nicholas AC team in the Waterford Senior Cross Country Championships they won it 4 times in 1966,67,72 and 73.Jimmy was well travelled and well known at athletics events especially with his son Jamie a former international race walker and now walks coach. Jamie qualified for 3 Olympic Games -2000, 2004 and 2008 and represented Ireland in 4 World Athletics Championships with Jimmy present at them all.The great John Treacy was a member in the early days as a Juvenile at St Nicholas AC and Jimmy followed his career with more than a passing interest as Jimmy was present for many of John’s greatest triumphs.He was a softly spoken, quiet man but his words always carried weight and was someone who always looked out for and encouraged others at all levels of sport.He will be greatly missed by all his family and his many friends.He was Predeceased by his wife Margaret,he is survived by his childrenNicola, Jamie, Niall, Orla and Mairead, daughter-in-law Zuzana,sisters Bridget, Carmel, Han, Maeve and Rita, brother John Joe,sister-in-law Sr. Mary, brother-in-law Connie, partners Colin andPatrick, grandchildren, nephews, nieces, extended family, neighbours and friends.His funeral arrangements are as follows.Reposing at Drohan’s Funeral Home, Dungarvan (Eircode X35 XF67) on Sunday, 25th August, from 4p.m – 7p.m. Funeral Mass on Monday, 26th August, at 11a.m in St. Nicholas’ Church, Ring. Burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery. House private please
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
CLONMEL HALF MARATHON.
546 competed at last Sunday’s Boston Scientific half marathon in Clonmel.The overall winner was William Maunsell from the host club Clonmel AC in a time of 1.06.09 and the Ladies winner was Noemie Leduc Grange Fermoy AC with a time of 1.22.44.West Waterford was well represented with Raivis Zakis leading our athletes home in 15th place with a time of 1.20.56 and our first Lady finisher was Jessica Sanderson 1.46.24, well done to all who completed the course.
Raivis Zakis 1.20.56
Gary Cantwell 1.22.03
Eoin Walsh 1.31.25
Michael Dunford 1.32.08
Martin Stephenson 1.37.19
Mark Cliffe 1.44.00
Jamie Hynds 1.43.56
Jessica Sanderson 1.46.24
Tom Leahy 1.48.30
David Nixon 1.51.29
Brian Walsh 1.57.34
Ann Dunford 1.59.30
Patricja Daly 2.04.54
John Laste 2.06.32
KATE VEALE WINS SOUTH KILKENNY 10 MILE.
The 3rd annual south Kilkenny Ballyhale was held last Sunday, the event had 3 distances 5k 10k and a 10 mile option .The 10 mile was held over an undulating course with the winner Sean Connery clocking a time of 1.01.22.The club’s only representative at the race was Kate Veale and she won the Ladies race finishing 5th overall with a time of 1.07.53.Well done to Kate.
MICK BREAKS 4 AT LONGFORD MARATHON.
Mick Concannon made the journey to Longford last Sunday for the Longford Marathon. Mick completed the race on a wet day for marathon running well under the 4 hour mark posting a time of 3.49.42 Well done Mick.
