WORLD INDOOR MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIPS FLORIDA.
GOLD AND SILVER FOR GOUGH.
The World Masters Indoor Championships were held in Alachua Florida USA last week and the club had 2 athletes competing there. Joe Gough was entered in the 800 and 1.500 meters events over 70 and John Laste in the over 60 3k and 10k race walk events .Joe was first out of the blocks and got his championships off to a flier when he ran in heat 1 of 2 over 800 meters, winning his heat in what was the fastest time recorded over the 2 heats 2.41.29. This meant Joe would toe the line in the final as the hottest of favourites to retain his over 70 masters crown as he won this event the last time these championships were held in Poland in 2023. Two days later Joe duly retained his M70 World Championships indoors 800 meter title comfortably in a time of 2 minutes 31.73 seconds with, Omar Clok of Uruguay second in 2.33.62 and Ryuichi Satu ,Japan third in 2.36.62.This win made it 10 world individual gold’s for Joe todate.In the 1.500 meters where Joe was drawn in heat 2 of 2 he finished 2nd in a time of 5.38.35 which was the 3rd fastest qualifying time overall from the 2 heats and safely through to the final on Saturday night. This final was a hum dinger of a race and Joe was so close to a double gold to add to his gold over 800 meters, on this occasion it was to be silver he was going to add to his growing medal collection when just piped by a few hundreds of a second by Clok of Uruguay who had won the bronze in the 800, the bronze was claimed here by American George Henehan 5.21.77.Never the less a nice few days for the Piltown man taking home a gold and a silver over 70 at these championships. Our other club member who made the long trip for the championships was club was race walker John Laste, John raced two distances the 3k and the 10 k distances in the over 60 category .John has been nursing a knee injury these past few months and was lucky to make the start lone at all in Florida as he has been training on an elliptical trainer since Christmas with his outdoor walking training limited. Competition was of the highest standard at these championships with excellent race walkers on show. John’s first outing was in the 3.00 meters where he finished 12th with a time of 19.38.71 in the 3.000 meters and on Sunday John competed over the longer distance of 10k and here finished 21st with a time of 1.09.27.Very well done to Joe and John
MARK MASON FINANCIAL SERVICES COLLIGAN LEAGUE STARTS THIS WEDNESDAY APRIL 2ND .
Our next big club event the 5 week Mark Mason’s Financial Services Colligan running league for beginners and regular runners kicks off on this Wednesday April 2nd . Open to all once they are over 16 years of age. This league has something in it for all from the beginner to the seasoned athlete with many distances to choose from along with flat courses and hilly courses. Beginning at the wooden bridge and finishing at the wooden bridge. This is 4.4 km in distance or 2.7 miles so it might suit all those that ran the short route over the winter league plus this route is more or less completely on the flat. Another option is to take part in the 3 lap which is 6.5 kms or just over 4 miles; this is 3 laps of the same flat circuit of the wood mentioned above. The final option is the 5 mile hill route which is one lap of the wood for starters and then up the first hill and down the hill and then across the road for the second hill and finishing in by the wood at the bridge. Entry will be online in due course. The league will start on Wednesday April 2nd and continue for five more Wednesday evenings April 09th,16th, 23rd and 30th .Mass start each evening at 6.30 pm.
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 1: April 2nd at 6.30 p.m.
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.
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 John O’ Donovan, Mweelnahorna, An Rinn, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford who passed to his eternal reward last week, may he rest in peace.
