123.IE IRISH NATIONAL RACE WALK CHAMPIONSHIPS 2024.
5TH PLACE AND NATIONAL 35K TITLE FOR KATE VEALE AT WORLD BRONZE RACE WALKING TOUR.
1ST OVER 60 FOR JOHN LASTE IN MASTERS 10K.
Sunday last saw the last of the national athletics championships for 2024 when the 123.ie sponsored national Senior 20k and 35k and 10k junior and a host of underage walk distances catering for the largest number of athletes ever to take part in a national race walking championship event were held along with a host of races for juvenile walkers in St Ann’s Park Raheny and hosted by Raheny Shamrocks AC. The race had 250 entries coming from 20 countries and this was the largest race walking event ever held in the country with the day turning out to be a superb success for the organisers. The event was a World Bronze medal category event which is important for the athletes competing as points gained go on the ranking tables for other major competitions. West Waterford’s Kate Veale finished off her season with another national title over 35k her 3rd with a time of in 3 hrs 25 minutes 58 seconds ,the winner was from Mexico Alejandro Ortega with 2nd and 3rd filled by 2 Brazilian walkers Gabriela De Souza Muniz and Elianay Pereira.John Laste have his usual solid performance taking 1st over 60 category in the 10k Masters event clocking a time of 64.27.In the open Juvenile race we had Aisling Hickey under 12 in action in the 1k event and she finished 5th in a mixed race and 4th Girl home in a time of 5.52.The whole day was a superbly organised event by Raheny Shamrock AC along with athletics Ireland and the huge input by Pierce O’Callaghan of Tuam AC and our own club member Zuzanna Costin who was responsible for assembling a truly international field of some of Europe’s and the world’s best walkers for the event with huge numbers taking part. Well done to both Kate and all the Juvenile walkers from the club on a historic day for race walking in Raheny.
FORDES DAYBREAK WINTER LEAGUE.
€2.400 DONATED AT FORDE’S DAYBREAK WINTER LEAGUE CHARITY NIGHT TO SURPRISE SURPRISE GROUP.
We had another great turnout last Wednesday on a great night with the weather ideal for our charity night run which this year was in aid of The Surprise Surprise group.As is always the case the runners of the league once again dug very deep and came up with a whopping sum of 2.400 Euro for our chosen charity this year , Our sponsor Kevin Forde handed over the cheque on behalf of all the runners which we can be sure will help many in our locality this Christmas. A huge thanks you to the runners for contributing, our sponsor Kevin and topped up with a donation from the club, thanks also to Theresa Daly who came along on the night to receive the cheque on behalf of Surprise Surprise .This Wednesday night the 18th is our final round for 2024 so make sure to come along to round off a great half way point of our winter league. Make sure to keep up the training over the break, even if it’s only the odd run or two it will make all the difference when the league resumes in 2025 on Thursday January 2nd ,Yes Thursday we will come back and the following week we will revert back to the Wednesday .For now from all at the Forde’s Daybreak winter league and all of our 515 registered league runners, may you and your loved ones have a lovely Christmas and we hope to see you all in the new year for the 2nd half with another 5 rounds to be completed.
SHORT COURSE TIMES STARTING TO IMPROVE.
It was a cool, crisp, still evening and again near perfect for running as the runners gathered for the second last week of the Fordes Daybreak Winter League as we take our two week Christmas break after this Wednesday. It very noticeable how the times are starting to improve each week as the league passes by with some knocking minutes off previous times recorded.
Once again a great crowd of 110 runners gathered in Dungarvan Sports Centre before heading out on the 2.3 mile run. Again this week there were more new people registering along with the league regulars. This section of the league has first timers and beginners in mind and is a manageable distance for most as it covers 2.3 miles in total. Even if you haven’t come along up to now, maybe it’s a challenge you could take on for the New Year. This Wednesday (18th December) is our last night for 2024 before the league resumes on Thursday 2nd January. The overall tables are starting to take shape and will be available in the coming weeks. First back on the night was a Mary Cullinan in a time of 26:02 with Kristine Hayes next pass the post in 25:29 and keeping it all female it was Ali O’Donnell 21:11 the 3rd runner home.Well done to all who took part, and remember newcomers are always welcome. Just come along to Dungarvan Sports centre on Wednesday Night at 6.30 to pick up a number- Also thanks to all out Stewards out on the course and our crew in the hall and at the Finish Line. Tonight (18th December ) is our last night for 2024 with the league recommencing on Thursday 2nd January 2025.
LONG COURSE RUNNERS IN PB TERRITORY.
We had another superb night last week for our league which was also our Christmas charity night at the Forde’s Daybreak Winter League with just this coming week round 6 remaining now before we take our annual Christmas break. Well done and many thanks to all the runners for their generosity on our charity night. It was a superb night again last week for round 5 and the proof of this came from that man again Evan Fitzgerald who ran a new course record for the 3rd successive week lowering his 26.24 to 26.04, what running this is on this course, and I know everyone else like myself are thinking is it possible he could go under the 26 minute mark, don’t rule it out.As well as Evan recording a new course record many others are running PB’s also and its notable how the times are improving week on week.With 231 finishers last week our first past the post was Thomas Shaw-Hamilton in a very solid run recording a time of 37:45 Liz Nyhan was one of the fastest Lady’s last week and she finish in a time of 38:28 while Kevin Pollard was 3rd in 37:34.Best of luck to all tonight the final round for 2024.
36th ANNUAL KIELY MONUMENTAL COLLIGAN CUP ON SUNDAY 12TH JANUARY.
Date for the diary and one of the most popular events on our calendar is the 36th annual Kiely Monumental Colligan Cup which will be held on Sunday 12th January.The Juvenile race starts at 11.00 pm and the Senior event will be at 12 noon. The senior race is over the usual 5 miles Colligan wood circuit and Juveniles will have a single 1-mile circuit to run. The Colligan cup is a unique event in that it is run on a handicap basis where you simply predict your finishing time over a 5 mile run, with the winner being the person who is nearest to that predicted time. This makes the race open to all no matter what your standard is, everyone has the same chance of taking the title. Now in its 33rd year we would like to thank sincerely our sponsor for all of those 36 years David Kiely of Kiely Monumental for his on-going support for the local running club West Waterford AC. So for a great fun event on the yearly running calendar Colligan is where you need to be come Sunday 12th January.
2025 TRACK AND FIELD INDOOR DATES ANNOUNCED.
13th January National Indoor Masters Athlone
20th January National Indoors under 20 and 23 Athlone
27th January AI Indoor games Abbottstown
11th February National Intermediate, Master & Juvenile ‘B’ Cross Country Championships Dundalk
1st March Day 1 Munster Indoors under 20 and 23 seniors and Masters Nenagh
2nd March Day 2 Munster Indoors under 20 and 23 seniors and Masters Nenagh
17th February National Senior indoors Abbottstown
ANY MEMBER WISHING TO TAKE PART PLEASE HAVE YOUR ENTRY IN ON TIME TO JAMES 086 8184762.
33RD ANNUAL JOHN TREACY DUNGARVAN 10.
ENTRIES FILLING FAST ,
West Waterford athletic club are delighted to announce that entries for our 33rd annual John Treacy Dungarvan 10 mile road race are now open and filling nicely .Its expected the race will shortly be sold out. The entry is an online entry through our race web site www.dungarvan10mile.org or through eventmaster.ie. The entries are filling fast and are expected to be full shortly, so if you intend running the great event please get your entry in now.The John Treacy Dungarvan 10 brings together the ideal race combination of fun runners, joggers, club athletes and top class internationals who compete over a fast flat 10 mile course around the historic town of Dungarvan as we all look forward to an even bigger and better event on Sunday February 2nd next. To stage such a big event of course requires good sponsor and we are fortunate to have the support many associate sponsors and many local businesses and individuals who are all giving valuable support helping to make the day a great occasion for the town of Dungarvan.
All race details can be found at www.dungarvan10mile.org
- STEPHEN’S DAY RUN/WALK IN AID OF CASS DRAVETS MEDICAL FUND.
The Dungarvan GAA club annual St. Stephen’s Day event will go ahead once again this year and all monies collected with benefit Cass Dravets Medical fund and all are invited to participate. Please all come along to the Dungarvan GAA Club grounds Clogherane at 11am St Stephens morning and walk or run off all that turkey!!
We are delighted to be in a position to support this year’s worthy cause
All money raised will go straight to Dravet Syndrome Ireland, a volunteer run charity, whom use all donations to raise “awareness and supporting families with severe genetic epilepsies. Funds raised will help to fund the Family Support Grant, educational events and family days for families in our community”.Your generosity is the key to unlocking a brighter, more inclusive future for all. Look forward to seeing you .
Delighted to be supporting Cass’s Dravets medical fund for our St Stephen’s Day run for 2024.
https://www.klubfunder.com/…/Dungarva…/EventRegistration
SYMPATHY.
West Waterford athletic club extend sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Dermot Hickey Town Court, Dungarvan, who passed to his eternal reward last week, may he rest in peace.
HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL.
On behalf of the officers at West Waterford Athletic Club we extend season’s greetings to all our members, sponsors and friends. Remember when running over the Christmas season be safe and be seen. Blessings to you, your families and all your loved ones.
