NATIONAL 123.IE SENIOR TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS.
KATE VEALE CLAIMS HER 30th NATIONAL SENIOR RACE WALK TITLE.
The 123.ie National Senior Outdoor Track and Field Championships took place over two days last weekend at Morton Stadium, Dublin. Glorious weather throughout the weekend helped attract a large attendance, while Sunday’s action was broadcast live on Irish television, adding to the occasion. West Waterford AC this year had one athlete competing at Ireland’s premier senior track and field event, where the country’s top athletes battled for national honours. Kate Veale was in action early in the weekend programme on the Saturday and once again she demonstrated her remarkable consistency and class by successfully defending her National Senior 5,000m Race Walk title despite very good younger walkers knocking on the door now Kate needed to call on all her experience to hold off the charge as the race concluded . The victory marked an incredible11th Outdoor Senior 5,000m Walk title for Kate and her 30th Senior National Championship title in all distances further cementing her place as one of Ireland’s most successful national athletes ever.Kate crossed the line in a time of 24.18 to take gold ahead of Aisling Lane (Mullingar Harriers AC), who claimed silver in 24:21 while (Finn Valley AC) secured bronze with a time of 24:22 . Congratulations to Kate, on proudly representing West Waterford AC at Ireland’s premier athletics championships.
CÉIM AR CHÉIM 32nd ANNUAL RAS NA RINNE 2026.
The 32nd Annual Céim ar Chéim–organised Rás na Rinne took place last Friday evening, attracting a field of 114 athletes to the superbly organised and unique event on the Coinigéar. Now in its 32nd year, the race continues to be one of the highlights of the local athletics calendar.The local committee in An Rinn has successfully organised this unique race for several years now and deserves great credit for ensuring it continues to grow from strength to strength while preserving its special character.The race organisers would like to sincerely thank all those who supported and sponsored the event: Comhlucht Forbartha na nDéise, Gaeltacht na nDéise, Údarás na Gaeltachta,Eamonn Terry and Criostal na Rinne, Spar An Rinn, Coláiste na Rinne,Tim King Carpentry ,Waterford Oysters ,West Waterford Athletics Club, Sólás na Mara, Céim ar Chéim, Comhairle Pobail na Rinne, along with the many stewards and volunteers whose hard work made the evening such a success.We look forward to welcoming everyone back in 2027 to do it all again.Míle buíochas le gach éinne a tháinig agus a thug tacaíocht don ócáid.
SERGIU CIOBANU WINS O’ DROMA FAMILY TROPHY.
The weather was beautiful for the 32nd edition of the famed Rás Na Rinne 6 mile race last Friday evening and those who competed mentioned hot good the underfoot conditions were on the Cunnigar part of the race like a billiard table one athlete mentioned. The race this year with 114 finishers was one of the best battles up front that we have seen at this race in many years with 3 athletes still locked together at Paddy Lannen’s flag turning point and interesting also was the fact that al three have won the race before indeed all 3 have won the race within the past 3 years ,so this made for a very interesting battle across the white sandy beach last Friday evening. Dermot Gorman Carrick ON Suir AC won in 2025,Sergiu Ciobany Clonliffe Harriers AC won the race in 2023 and Aidan Connell West Waterford AC was our victor in 2024.The race was on when they turned to come back in on the Dungarvan side of the Cunnigar ,soon after that turn 2 broke clear Ciabanu and Gorman with Connell slightly dropping off the very fast pace set.As the 2 came near to the end of the Cunnigar section of the race it was the 2023 winner Ciobanu who made the bold move breaking clear of his now chaser. They fought hard on the steep uphill section when they hit the road and the Clonliffe man was to stay the distance coming home in a time of 30.56 to claim the O’Droma family trophy for the second time, 13 seconds separated dthe winner from the runner up Gorman in the end when he clocked a time of 31.09 and Connell was to settle for 3rd in 31.48. category winners included Padraig Cullen IND over 40 in 38.23 .The winner of the over 50 category was a visitor from Carrick On Suir AC when Eugene O’Keeffe cross the finish line in 37.13,Eugene also won this category in 2019,2022,2023 2024 2025 and this year 2026 so great running from Eugene. And Ray Hahesy West Waterford AC in 39.36 won the over 60 category for the 3rd year in succession. In the junior category Jack Casey KCK AC was the winner in 33.20. Well done to all runners and prize winners.
MENS
1st Sergiu Ciobanu Clonliffe Harriers AC 30.56
2nd Dermot Gorman Carrick on Suir AC 31.09
3rd Aidan Connell West Waterford AC 31.48
1st O/40 Padraig Cullen IND 38.23
1st O/50 Eugene O’Keeffe Carrick on Suir AC 37.13
1st O/60 Ray Hahesy West Waterford AC 39.36
1st Junior Jack Casey KCK AC 33.20
EMMA LEAHY BEST ON COINIGÉAR.
Emma Leahy was best of the Ladies last Friday evening when from the gun at the Coláiste she ran into a lead which she was never to relinquish, a gun to tape winner as they say clocking an impressive time of 38.40. Angela Tobin West Waterford AC who won the race in 2025 gave it her all over the sandy course but runner-up was her lot this year never the less Angela has been running her best ever this year and 41.29 was her finishing time Friday. In 3rd spot was Martina Moloney More Abbey milers AC 41.54. In the Ladies category section an unusual thing happened that all 3 category winners also won these categories in 2025, now that don’t happen too often in fact I don’t ever recall it happening before.The ladies over 35 category was won by Tina Walsh Carrick On Suir AC 44.45 .The over 40 category went to Sarah Whelan Clonmel AC 43.21and Sareen Walsh Clonmel AC 44.02 took the over 50 Well done to all our winners and competitors on the night.
LADIES
1st Emma Leahy IND 38.40
2ND Angela Tobin West Waterford AC 41.29
3rd Martina Moloney More Abbey Milers AC 41.54
1st O/35 Tina Walsh Carrick On Suir AC 44.45
1st O/40 Sarah Whelan Clonmel AC 43.21
1st O/50 Sareen Walsh Clonmel AC 44.02
WATERFORD GREENWAY HALF MARATHON SET FOR AUGUST 29th.
The Waterford Greenway Half Marathon follows one of the flattest half marathon routes in the country, with a net elevation drop of approximately 100 metres, making it an ideal course for both first-time half marathon runners and those chasing a personal best. Starting beside the historic Workhouse, built in 1850, in the picturesque village of Kilmacthomas, the route quickly joins the Waterford Greenway and crosses the impressive Kilmacthomas Viaduct. Along the way, runners aretreated to breath-taking views of the Comeragh Mountains to the north before crossing the magnificent Durrow Viaduct and passing the beautifully preserved Durrow Railway Station, where the original platform and station building still stand. One of the highlights of the course is the spectacular 400-metre-long Ballyvoile Tunnel, an unforgettable section full of atmosphere—keep an eye out for the fairy doors hidden along the tunnel walls! Emerging from the tunnel, runners cross the restored Ballyvoile Viaduct, originally destroyed in 1922 before being carefully rebuilt to its former glory.As the course winds around the headland, the sea comes into view, revealing stunning panoramic vistas of Clonea Strand and Dungarvan Bay. From there, it’s a gentle downhill run to the finish line beside the Railway Cottage, where a warm welcome and a memorable finish await.
ELITE ENTRIES.
Entries are now closed but if you wish to apply as an elite runner please send your information to jvealeracewalker@gmail.com 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)
WATERFORD GREENWAY HALF MARATHON PRIZES.
The prizes for this race will be as follows.
1st 5 Men and Women
Ladies
1st and 2ndO/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 of prize winners).
Spot prizes will be randomly distributed to runners down the field at the finish line.
Note: Cash prizes will be given to the Men’s and Ladies winners and all category prizes will be vouchers.
ONRA AND MARTINA RUN CHURCHTOWN 4.
Well done to club members Martina Beechinor 32.53 and Onra Power 37.46 who both ran last Thursday evenings Church town 4 miler in Cork ,the overall arce winner was John Meade St Finbarrs AC 21.23 and the Ladies winner was Jessica Coyne Leevale AC in 22:17. A total of 187 ran on the night.
ÉAMONN COMPLETES CAPETOWN MARATHON.
Club member Éamon Cashin recently completed the Capetown South Africa marathon 2026. The Abbeyside man has now completed what will soon be his 8th Marathon Major. The South Africa marathon is soon to be added to the other 7 majors so Éamonn is ahead of the possy on that one.Éamonn completed the race in a time of 6.25.15 which has seen him travel the work having already completed marathons majors in Tokyo , Boston, London, Sydney , ,Berlin .Chicago and ,New York. Congratulations.
