123.IE NATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS .
TOP 4 FOR LUCY HOLMES.
SOLID PERFORMANCE’S FROM MC CARTHY AND POWER..
The 123.ie national Even ages, under 23 and senior cross country championships for 2024 were held last Sunday in Enniskillen in Co. Fermanagh and it was quite a trip for those who made the trip to run and for those who attended from this part of the country.There were a 12 Juvenile athletes from the club who raced and in the senior ranks we had 3 athletes in action Lucy Holmes under 23 and David McCarthy and Micheál Power in the men’s senior race.Held on a tough course, not for the faint hearted the venue brought the cream to the top as they say with some outstanding performances right through out all the age categories right through to the senior events.There was an outstanding performance in the under 23 ladies race which was held in conjunction with the senior ladies race when Lucy Holme’s had a brilliant run in her final year running in this age category, she was setting her sights on a team selection for this year’s squad who will travel to Turkey in December for the European cross country championships. Lucy put in sterling run to finish 4th overall with the 4 athletes directly behind her also under 23,she gave a sterling last lap effort to claim that 4th spot when it looked like she might finish in the same position as last year’s race 6th place with 1.00 meters remaining , but a determined final lap saw her claw her way back into contention, all be it that she was outside the top 3 medal placing’s we hope that by the time you get to read this in our local papers the selection for the under 23 cross country team will have been made and she will hopefully be included in the squad for Turkey, In the Senior Men’s race David and Micheál gave it their all with David having a super run finishing a really solid 18th overall in the star studded field, it did take him the first 2 laps to settle into his rhythm but he held his own very well over the final laps moving through the field strongly to clinch a top 20 finish. Micheál mixed it well with the top end of the field for much of the opening laps and tried hard to match the top athletes, as the field split up half way through the race Micheál slipped off the pace and crossed the line in 48th position, none the less he will take a lot of positives from his effort on the day a she gave it his all .Well done to Lucy Micheál and David.
30th ANNUAL FORDE’S DAYBREAK WINTER LEAGUE.
LARGE GETS LARGER AT ROUND ONE.
Round 1 of the 2024/25 30th Annual Forde’s Daybreak winter league hit the streets of Dungarvan and Abbeyside last Wednesday evening with a massive turnout of runners registering for the 30th year of this remarkable event. From 6 pm it was all systems go as the throngs of runners made their way to the sports centre at Quann’s to toe the line for the start of what we hope will be another brilliant winter league season. The weather last week could not have been kinder actually it was ideal for the first night no wind no rain perfect in fact. The numbers this year on the first night of the league broke all records in fact it was phenomenal the numbers this year. Looking back over the 30 year history of the event it reads the first round numbers looked like this 3 years ago we had 388, 2 years ago we had 368 and last year we had 381, well last Wednesday evening 436 ran over the 2 courses which is a massive record by over 50 finishers. So after 30 years of the event “someone is doing something right”.Our generous sponsor Kevin Forde got both leagues under way as is traditional on the first night they go off in two group’s short course first followed by the long course runners. The two courses head off in separated directions with the short one off first heading for Fr Twomeys road circuit followed by the long course runners which heads to the village and the St Augustine’s circuit.A huge crowd of 290 (239 last year) took on the 5.2 mile long course last Wednesday evening and looking at the runners return from the long course it ceases to amaze the number of new faces along with many old friends again this year, this number was the largest number ever to run the long course on the first night. On the short course a total of 146 ran on the night again her a record broken.Also a huge thank you to all of our stewards out on the course and to all our crew in the hall and at the finish line.Well done to each and every runner who got through the first night and remember there is a long way to go and aim to slowly improve. It is important to feel comfortable during the run and as you are coming near the finish line you can increase the pace and finish your run with a push. Best of luck to all tonight and why not bring a friend along. Its brilliant to see so many coming along and running the league for the very first time, we hope they keep it up now over the winter and enjoy the run and make many new friends along the way. As usual for the winter league, the first night was a mass start with all runners going off at the same time. From week 2, the handicap system will kick in and you starting time will be posted on facebook on Tuesday and also on the wall when you arrive down to the sport centre.Hi Vis is compulsory for all runners. Your winter league number is the number you have for all the league so please pin it to your high viz bib and leave it there throughout the league.
TONIGHT’S ROUND 2 OF THE WINTER LEAGUE- PLEASE NOTE STARTING SYSTEM.
- Last week was a mass start but from tonight on, the league kicks in properly with everybody heading off at different times. There will be intervals between each group of runners tonight. Your starting time tonight will be based on the slowest time last week which means that the fastest person last week will be the last to head off tonight and the last people to head off will be trying to catch as many people as they can and those that headed off first will be trying not to get caught by those coming from behind them.
2.Clock will start at 6.40 sharp- it’s up to you to be there on time for your start.
- Your starting time for tonight will be posted on facebook on Tuesday please take a peep at Facebook and remember your starting time, We will also post starting time sheets on wall of sports centre. Whatever time is beside your name that is your starting time for tonight. If it says 2.00 that means when the clock reads 2 minutes you must start running, if it says 7 it means that when the clock reaches 7 minutes you must start running.
- New Comers -Running for the 1st time tonight on the short course will leave at 5 minutes and new comers running the long course for the 1st time will leave at 10 minutes.
- With a huge amount of runners at the league, it’s important that you are ready to start running when it’s your time to go, we will not be able to adjust the results for those that miss their starting time.
- Don’t forget your bring your running bib and number.
8.leave your watch at home
WINTER LEAGUE PARKING.
A huge number have registered for this year’s league, from a parking point of view there are ample parking spaces available at Scanlon’s yard, Strand Street and also at the look out. Each of these is only a short distance from the sports centre. We also ask that you refrain from parking in front of anyone’s house. We have a good relationship with the people living in the area and we would like to keep this intact.
33rd ANNUAL JOHN TREACY DUNGARVAN 10 LAUNCHED.
ENTRIES OPEN MONDAY DECEMBER 2ND .
West Waterford athletic club are delighted to announce that entries for our 33rd annual 10 mile event The John Treacy Dungarvan 10 entry will open online only on eventmaster.ie on Monday December 2nd.The event now in its 33rd year has established itself as a must run race on the Irish road running calendar with participants from all four corners of the country and beyond participating. The race has grown year on year from humble beginnings 33 years ago. This year the organisers due to the demand for entries for the race will keep the entry number to 3,750 entries, this we hope will see all runners wishing to run the event in 2025 getting an entry to do so. Please note that this event usually sells out well before closing date so do get your entry in if you intend running on Sunday February 2nd 2025.The John Treacy Dungrvan 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’s 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
JOHN TREACY DUNGARVAN 10.
IRISH KIDNEY ASSOCIATION 2025 RACE BENEFACTORS.
West Waterford athletic club are delighted to announce our race benefactors for the 2025 John Tracy Dungarvan 10 mile road race WILL BE The Irish Kidney Association. Monies donated by the runners and the club will be donated to this very worthy national cause. We are delighted as the race organisers to have chosen The Irish Kidney Association as they are a charitable voluntary organisation founded in 1978. They are dedicated to meeting the needs of renal patients and their families and carers, living with and affected by end stage renal disease. The prime role of the Irish Kidney Association is to support patients and their families effected by end stage kidney disease and are either being treated by dialysis or have a working kidney transplant. By providing information on kidney diseases, associated medical scenarios and social benefits and entitlements, the IKA helps patients and families live as normal a life as possible, given the presence of the kidney related illness. We hope that once again you will be generous and support this worthy cause. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
WEST WATERFORD TRACK DEVELOPMENT FUND TO BENEFIT FROM 16th ANNUAL AN SEAN PHOBAL MEMORIAL TURKEY TROT.
On Sunday December 8th the 16th Annual Cleanzone Technologies Ltd sponsored Paddy Joe Curran Old Parish Turkey Trot 5 mile run and 4 mile walk will take place at the Marine Bar, Pulla, Dungarvan. All proceeds from this year’s event will go to the West Waterford Track Development Fund. The event is once again kindly sponsored by Cleanzone Technology Ltd of which were most grateful. The 4 mile walk will begin at 11 am, while the 5 mile run will get under way at 11.30. The Annual Paddy Joe Curran Memorial Old parish Turkey Trot was set up by the late Paddy Joe Curran in 2007. Unfortunately Paddy Joe passed away in 2011 . Paddy Joe dedicated his life to promoting athletics in the As Sean Phobal and An Rinn areas. After his passing a group of Paddy Joe’s friends came together with the aim of growing the event and raise funds for local charities in his memory. All proceeds from this year’s event go to West Waterford track development fund. Registration online for 10 euro or on the day its 15 euro number collection from 10:30am on the morning at the Marine Bar located on the N25. Prize giving and refreshments will take place at the Marine Bar following the event. Please note there will be no mass start for walk. Once walkers have registered and signed in, they will be allowed to begin the event. If you would like further information or would like a sponsorship card for the event email oldparishturkeytrot@hotmail.com.
AIDAN CONNELL 2nd AT BEAT THE TRAIN 10 MILE .
The Beat the train for Down Syndrome Ireland, Waterford and South Kilkenny Branch held their annual 10 mile race in Kilmeaden last Saturday morning and a large field of 328 completed the run on an ideal morning for the time of year. overall winner this year was Warren Roche Ferrybank AC in a time of 54.01 the Ladies victory went to Grainne Brennan Carrick On Suit AC in 68.14. West Waterford had a large number of athletes at the event and were lead home with a brilliant run by Aidan Connell who finished runner up in a time of 55.02. Daryl Kearns had a top 10 position when he finished 5th in 58.02 and also breaking the 60 minute barrier Alan Gibson clocked a time of 59.48 9 place.Madeleine Hearn was our first lady home in 77.11. well done to all who ran.
Aidan Connell 55.02
Daryl Kearns 58.02
Alan Gibson 59.50
John Coffey 60.47
Alan Hogan 69.35
Tom Hogan 72.23
Tomas De Faoite 73.30
Gareath Pope 75.50
Liam Fitzgerald 77.15
Madeleine Hearn 77.31
David Moore 77.44
Anne Moore 77.44
Tony O’Donoghue 80.32
Eoin Walsh 80.32
Linda Foley 83.46
Kelly Fitzgareld 83.46
Josie Ui Chuirrin 93.23
Owen Power 95.07
Mary Cahill 95.22
Time Crotty 98.26
Anita Beaty 99.37
Bernard Beaty 99.37
Margaret Conway 101.05
Grainne O’Brien 101.28
Helen Leahy 101.56
Margaret O’Connell 101.56
SILVER ON THE DOUBLE FOR JOE GOUGH IN BELFAST.
The Irish and British Masters XC championships were held last Saturday .The annual Masters Cross Country race involves national teams from England,Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Scotland and Wales. This year event was held at Billy Neill County Park in Belfast with over 400 athletes competing over all masters age categories men’s and women’s. West Waterford club member Joe Gough was part of the Irish over 70 team who competed in that category over distance. The over 70 individual gold medal went to England’s David Butler. Joe ran a brilliant race to hold off another English athlete to take the silver by just 11 seconds. England took the gold team here with Iteland led home by Joe along with Eamon mc Evoy and John Joe murphy. Well done to Joe on another international medal added to the collection.
MICK RUNS GALWAY BAY MARATHON.
Club member Mick Concannon was once again on marathon duty last Saturday morning when he complete the Galway event in a time of 4.04. The race was held up and down the prom in good weather conditions, well done mick
