28th ANNUAL FORDE’S DAYBREAK WINTER LEAGUE.
MASSIVE TURNOUT OF RUNNERS.
Round 1 of the 2022/23 28th Annual Forde’s Daybreak winter league saw a great turnout of runners for a first night of the league last Wednesday evening at Dungarvan sports centre Quanns. Each year of this league on the first night it’s a sight to behold as the mass starts witnesses a sea of high viz vests and Fordes Daybreak/Circle K race numbers as the two groups short course and then long course runners headed off in two separated directions as the event for 2022/23 was officially got under way by our sponsor Kevin Forde. The winter league will continue for 10 more nights 5 before Christmas and 5 after Christmas with a 2 week break over the festive season. Despite the inclement weather these past couple of week, we got round 1 off to a flyer with hardly a breeze but a little colder than recent days, all said it was an ideal night for running. Dear I say it but usually if the first night of the league starts off on a good foot weather wise the trend seems to continue throughout the league, fingers crossed anyway. A huge crowd of 219 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. There was a massive number out for the first night last Wednesday on the short course also when 125 took up the challenge. 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. Well done to all who completed the long course last week. Remember to spread the word about the winter league and we can all help each other to get fit, stay fit and healthy over the winter months. If you haven’t registered to date you can still join us at any stage just come along any Wednesday evening to Dungarvan sports centre and you will be looked after.Hi Vis is compulsory for all runners.Your winter league number, given at registration, is the number you have for all the league. It should be worn to the front, be clearly visible and secured with a pin in each corner to stop it flapping. 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 as friend along.
LEAGUE REGISTRATION CLOSES AT 6.30 EACH WEDNESDAY EVENING.
Please note that because of the volume of runners each week taking part in the league we must from this week onwards close registration for new runners at 6.30. If your coming along for the first time we ask you to be down in plenty of time as those arriving late will not be able to register. Also we ask all runners to please abide by all the rules including the wearing of a high Viz reflective running bib and to take direction from the steward’s so that it’s safe and enjoyable for everyone.
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 running bib-Leave your watch and keys in the box provided in the hall.
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.
31st ANNUAL JOHN TREACY DUNGARVAN 10 LAUNCHED.
RACE ENTRY EXTENDED TO 3.750.
West Waterford athletic club are delighted to announce that entries for our 31st annual 10 mile event will open on Thursday December 1st for registered AI members and then a week later on Thursday 8th it will open to all other runners wishing to take part . The entry will be online only with entry through eventmaster.ie The event now in its 31st 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 31 years ago. This year the organisers due to the demand for entries for the race have added extra numbers with a cut off now of 3,750 entries available, this we hope will see all runners wishing to run the event in 2022 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 5th 2022.The John Treacy Dungrvan 10 bring’s 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 5th 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. The top club runners will once again do battle to have the honour of having their clubs name added to the list of previous winners in the John Treacy Club Challenge Cup for men’s and ladies teams. We will again be calling on all the athletic clubs of Ireland to take on the challenge in 2022 event.
All race details can be found at www.dungarvan10mile.org
JOHN TREACY DUNGARVAN 10.
BUMBLEANCE ANNOUNCED AS RACE BENEFACTORS.
The Children’s National Ambulance Service.
West Waterford athletic club are delighted to announce our race benefactors for the 2023 John Tracy Dungarvan 10 mile road race BUMBLEANCE !!!.Monies donated by the runners and the club will be donated to this very worth national cause. BUMBLEANCE is the official Children’s National Ambulance Service of Ireland. They provide safe and comfortable transportation for Ireland’s youngest patients as they travel between their homes and hospitals, hospices, treatment centres, and respite centres nationwide. At BUMBLEANCE, they know how stressful it is to transport a sick child, BUMBLEANCE is with families every step of the way, with the comfort and safety of the children as their number one priority. The BUMBLEANCE service is the first of its kind in the world. It has all the amenities of a regular ambulance but it includes the all-important extras to make a sick child’s journey as safe, comfortable and entertaining as possible. Their aim is to distract, comfort and entertain Ireland’s youngest and most critically ill patients as they travel to and from hospitals and paediatric treatment centres nationwide. When entering the race online you will have the opportunity to donated any sum of money you wish, we ask you to be as generous as possible for this very worthy cause when entries open on December 1st.
DUNGARVAN COMMUNITY HOSPITAL TO BENEFIT FROM 14th ANNUAL AN SEAN PHOBAL MEMORIAL TURKEY TROT.
On Sunday November 27th the 14th Annual 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 Dungarvan Community hospital. 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 after a short battle with cancer. 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 cancer charities in his memory. All proceeds from this year’s event go to the Solas Cancer Support Centre who support patients and their families with cancer in Waterford City and County. Proceeds from this event will support their new West Waterford Centre located in Dungarvan, Co. Waterford.
Registration online with number collection opening at 10:30am on the morning at the Marine Bar located on the N25.
Run Start is at 12 noon
Lots of spot prizes for walkers and runners.
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. For health and safety this helps to reduce the volume of participants in the route at one time.
Online entry link here.
https://eventmaster.ie/event/vMj6cPoSb4
TOP 6 FOR LUCY HOLMES AT UNDER 23 CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPS.
The even ages, junior, under 23 and senior cross country championships were held today in Rosapenna Hotel and Golf Club, Co Donegal. It was a big trip for our athletes who travelled with some of our Juvenile athletes running their very first national cross country race. In the under 23 Ladies race our Munster champion from a few weeks ago Lucy Holmes was in action and she ran a great race finishing 7th in a hotly contested race, with Irish team places up for grabs today Lucy will have to wait on the selection committee now to see if she will be making the trip to Turin Italy in 3 weeks’ time for the European cross country champs. In the junior men’s race Mark Blackwell who has been showing some good form this year was unfortunate to have to drop out of the race after a few laps with a recurring chest problem. Well done to both athletes on making the big trip to Donegal.
MICHEÁL POWER PERFORMS WELL AT USA NATIONAL COLLEGIATE CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS.
The US National Collegiate Division 1 Cross Country Championship finals were in Oklahoma State University last Saturday with over 30 Universities from all over the USA competing and all having qualified through their regional competitions. A huge field of 255 competed in the men’s 10 KM event with Micheál representing Tulsa University finishing a very creditable 61st in a super time of 29.54.1.Tulsa finish an excellent 9th form the 31 team competing. A great end to what has been a breakthrough cross country season for the Ballinamuck man.
MARY TOHER MEMORIAL MARATHON RUN.
Mick Concannon and Terri Gough were marathon running again last Saturday morning at the Marathon Club of Ireland event held in Carrignavar, Co Cork.The race as held on a 1 mile loop in special memory of marathon club member and indeed no stranger to many of our own races over the years, Mary Toher who passed away in October RIP. It was a cold and wet morning for the race which Mick completed in a time of 3.56.22 with Terri also completing yet another 26.2 miler.
SANOFI 5 MILE ROAD RACE.
The annual Sanofi 5 mile road race was held this morning from the factory grounds in Waterford city with a field of runner’s 180 runners competing. Which saw all monies collected donated to the Waterford branch of MS , the overall winner was Noel Murphy Waterford AC in a time of 25.58 while his club mate Ruth Fitzgerald won the ladies race in 29.28.First West Waterford athlete home was John O’Rourke in 7th place with a time of 27.54,Kate Veale was the clubs first female finisher in 2nd place overall with a time of 30.42, well done to all who ran
John O Rourke 27.54
Kate Veale 30.42
Ray Hahesy 32.06
Niall Cusack 41.47
Aisling Cusack 41.48
Anita Beatty NT
Bernard Beatty NT
Deirdre Clancy NT
SYMPATHY
West Waterford athletic club extend sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Eileen Keane Ballinagulkee, Ballinamult, Waterford who passed to her eternal reward last week, may she rest in peace.
